Martin / MacMillan: Passion & Polyphony – Sonoro

   in Choir & Organ (May, 2018)
The pairing of Frank Martin with James MacMillan makes for an enticing programme. Whereas Martin believed his own ‘expression’ of religious belief was an introspective one between himself and God, MacMillan’s journey is more outward-looking and he reacts to events happening in the world, often with anger but also with great sorrow. His writing is imbued with delicate nuances which for singers need careful handling. Sonoro was founded in 2016 and bring to the choral scene a rich tapestry of sound which occasionally works against them. The singers can scale down, as shown in a very pleasing performance of Martin’s lovely Mass for Double Choir. MacMillan’s works include Cecilia Virgo, his …