MacMillan's Symphony No. 4 pays homage to Robert Carver, a significant Scottish Renaissance composer, with covert references to Carver's ten-voice Missa Dum sacrum mysterium.
Performer Biography
Martyn Brabbins, the conductor, has premiered hundreds of works by leading international composers, championed British music, and made over 120 recordings, including more than fifty for Hyperion.
Performer Biography
Lawrence Power, the viola soloist, is a fervent champion of contemporary music, having premiered many new works, including MacMillan's Viola Concerto.
Composer Biography
Sir James MacMillan, born in 1959, grew up in Cumnock, Scotland, and studied music at the University of Edinburgh and composition at the University of Durham.
Composer's Artistic Vision
MacMillan's music often combines his Roman Catholic faith, socialist ideals, and connection to his homeland, resulting in a strong sense of narrative inspired by history or theology.
Compositional Technique
Both orchestral works on this album, Symphony No. 4 and Viola Concerto, avoid extra-musical elements, using generic titles, and inventively incorporate archaic-language music played by a string ensemble.
Composition History
The Viola Concerto was written for and premiered by Lawrence Power, the soloist on this recording, with MacMillan ensuring the solo line would be audible over a substantial orchestra.
