MacMillan: St John Passion

Featuring

Sir Colin Davis
Christopher Maltman
London Symphony Orchestra
London Symphony Chorus
James MacMillan

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Composition History

James MacMillan dedicated his St John Passion to Sir Colin Davis, the conductor on this recording, in his 80th birthday year as a token of admiration and appreciation.

Historical Context

Musical settings of the Passion, based on biblical texts or poetic elaborations, can be traced back as far as the fourth century.

Composition History

Composer James MacMillan chose the St John text for his Passion because he was intimately acquainted with it from hearing it recited or sung every Good Friday in Catholic liturgy.

Compositional Technique

James MacMillan's St John Passion balances the contrasting musical contexts of liturgical chant and music drama, sometimes creating opposition and at other times cross-fertilization.

Compositional Technique

The instrumental approach in James MacMillan's St John Passion uses a sparse and lean texture, with limited percussion and no harps or usual keyboards, though it includes a chamber organ.

Composer's Artistic Vision

James MacMillan's St John Passion is a landmark work for him and for contemporary music, utilizing large and varied vocal and instrumental forces.

Performer Biography

Sir Colin Davis, the conductor, was the London Symphony Orchestra's Principal Conductor from 1995 to 2006 and became its first President since Leonard Bernstein in 2007.