A zoo, a lament and a protest
MacMillan criticises Scotland in a public address and his music: A Scotch Bestiary and his Second Piano Concerto, the last movement of which is entitled Shamnation.
Sir James MacMillan is reflecting on his prolific life in composition as he celebrates his 60th birthday this week.
By 1999 James had become the most successful Scottish composer ever and the most often performed. But he remembers that not everything was straightforward. He gave a lecture at the Edinburgh Festival under the title Scotland’s Shame, claiming that Scotland was a country riven with anti-Catholic bigotry. The controversy that followed rumbled on for years and still leaves him confused.
His criticism of Scotland found its way into two of the works in today's programme: A Scotch Bestiary and his Second Piano Concerto, the last movement of which is entitled Shamnation.
A Scotch Bestiary
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Wayne Marshall, piano
James MacMillan, conductor
Tenebrae Responsories
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers, conductor
Sarah’s Lament – Months from Now, from Clemency
Christine Abraham, soprano.
Boston Lyric Opera
David Angus, conductor
Shamnation (3rd mvt of Piano Concerto No 2)
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Wayne Marshall, piano
James MacMillan, conductor
Presenter: Donald Macleod
Producer: Rosie Boulton
Last on
Music Played
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Sir James MacMillan
A Scotch Bestiary for organ and orchestra (extract)
Performer: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Performer: Wayne Marshall. Conductor: Sir James MacMillan.- Chandos CHAN 10377.
- Chandos.
- 14.
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Sir James MacMillan
A Scotch Bestiary for organ and orchestra
Performer: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Performer: Wayne Marshall. Conductor: Sir James MacMillan.- Chandos CHAN 10377.
- Chandos.
- 14.
-
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Sir James MacMillan
Tenebrae Responsories for chorus
Conductor: Harry Christophers. Choir: The Sixteen.- CORO : 16096.
- CORO.
- 11.
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Sir James MacMillan
Clemency: Sarah's Lament
Performer: Michael Symmons Roberts. Performer: Boston Lyric Opera. Singer: Christine Abraham. Conductor: David Angus.- BIS BIS2129.
- BIS.
- 11.
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Sir James MacMillan
Piano Concerto No 2 (3rd movement: Shamnation)
Performer: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Performer: Wayne Marshall. Conductor: Sir James MacMillan.- Chandos CHAN 10377.
- Chandos.
- 17.
Broadcast
- Wed 17 Jul 2019 12:00BBC Radio 3
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