Cappella Nova, founded in 1982 by Alan and Rebecca Tavener, is Scotland's only professional vocal ensemble specializing in early and contemporary music.
Composer Biography
Sir James MacMillan is considered the preeminent Scottish composer of his generation, known for works like his percussion concerto Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, which has received over 500 performances worldwide.
Compositional Technique
Sir James MacMillan often uses independently moving, overlapping soprano lines in his choral works, a technique he developed in his Christmas Oratorio to create particular atmospheric textures.
Performer Biography
Cappella Nova has commissioned and premiered over 90 new works since 1986, including Sir John Tavener's oratorio Resurrection and Sir James MacMillan's Seven Last Words from the Cross.
Composition History
The St Anne's Mass, one of Sir James MacMillan's most frequently sung works, was revised in 2011 to align with the new translation of the Ordinary of the Mass for Roman Catholic use.
Performer Biography
Alan Tavener, the director of Cappella Nova, was awarded the British Empire Medal in 2020 for his services to choral music in Scotland.
Recording & Production
This album features many first recordings, including several works by Sir James MacMillan, such as The Culham Motets and Lux aeterna.
