James MacMillan: Since It Was The Day Of Preparation – Hebrides Ensemble / Sherratt

   in Choir & Organ (Jul, 2016)
As the title implies, this work addresses a fundamental belief of Christianity – that of the Risen Lord, which James MacMillan sets to an English biblical text from St John’s Gospel interjected with the words of O filii et filiae and Veni Creator Spiritus. Scored for solo bass (as Christ), an SATB consort and an instrumental ensemble of clarinet, horn, cello, harp and theorbo, MacMillan’s writing creates a profound atmosphere of reverence and introspection. Solo instrumental ‘motets’ provide periods of reflection between the narratives, not only setting the scene but also casting an aura of their own. The tenor narrates the Deposition of Christ in the style of a plainchant …
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