James MacMillan, born in Ayrshire, Scotland in 1959, gained wide public attention after his orchestral score "The Confession of Isobel Gowdie" premiered at the 1990 BBC Promenade Concerts.
Performer Biography
Osmo Vänskä, the conductor on this recording, began his professional musical life as a respected clarinettist and won first prize in the 1982 Besançon International Young Conductor's Competition.
Composition History
The works in the "Triduum" contemplate aspects of the Easter story: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Vigil preparing for Resurrection Day.
Composer's Artistic Vision
MacMillan's music is characterized by his strong Catholic faith, which he uses to channel and typify a range of potent emotion, often exposing the heart's darkness.
Composition History
The "Symphony 'Vigil'" was specially requested by Mstislav Rostropovich, a renowned cellist and conductor, who also requested the cello concerto in the triptych.
Composition History
The album features "Symphony 'Vigil'", which is the third part of MacMillan's "Triduum" — an Easter triptych commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra.
Recording & Production
This recording of "Symphony 'Vigil'" is a world premiere recording and was made in Scotland.
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