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James MacMillan conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus

James MacMillan conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Pärt, Britten, Rautavaara and, with soprano Mary Bevan and baritone Roderick Williams, MacMillan's new choral work Fiat Lux.

James MacMillan conducts the BBC Symphony Orchestra in Pärt, Britten, Rautavaara and, with soprano Mary Bevan and baritone Roderick Williams, MacMillan's new choral work Fiat Lux.

Few living composers communicate with the emotional directness of Sir James MacMillan, so the first UK performance of his Fiat Lux – premiered earlier this year in California - is a big event. First, though, MacMillan conducts works by Pärt, Britten and Rautavaara – music that he has chosen to illuminate and complement his own creativity.

It’s easy to see where he’s coming from, as music of passionate mourning and turmoil leads up to the first UK performance of a work that US critics have praised for its “thrilling exuberance”. For MacMillan, “beauty is at the heart of our Christian faith” and Fiat Lux is sure to be profoundly shaped by his beliefs. But as ever, his inspiration transcends any one interpretation: expect a celebration both of tradition, and of radical renewal.

Live from the Barbican Hall, London. Presented by Martin Handley

Arvo Pärt: Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten
Benjamin Britten: Sinfonia da Requiem

Interval

Einojuhani Rautavaara: Into the Heart of Light "Canto V"
Sir James MacMillan: Fiat Lux (UK Premiere)

Mary Bevan (soprano)
Roderick Williams (baritone)
BBC Symphony Chorus
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Sir James MacMillan (conductor)

2 hours, 28 minutes

Last on

Fri 15 Mar 2024 19:30
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Arvo Pärt

    Cantus In Memoriam Benjamin Britten

    Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: James McMillan.

  • Benjamin Britten

    Sinfonia Da Requiem Op.20

    Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: James McMillan.

  • Dominic de Grande

    Whilst falling asleep, Savta told me of Jacob

    Performer: Sean Heath. Choir: St Salvator's Chapel Choir University of St Andrews. Conductor: Tom Wilkinson.

  • Einojuhani Rautavaara

    Into The Heart Of Light

    Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: James McMillan.

  • Einojuhani Rautavaara

    Into The Heart Of Light

    Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: James McMillan.

  • Sir James MacMillan

    Fiat Lux

    Performer: Mary Bevan. Performer: Roderick Williams. Choir: BBC Symphony Chorus. Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sir James MacMillan.

  • Domenico Scarlatti

    Sonata in E major Kk.206

    Performer: Murray Perahia.
    • Murray Perahia plays Handel and Scarlatti.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 16.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    String Quartet No 4 in C major, K 157

    Ensemble: Jerusalem Quartet.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Trio Sonata in D major, HWV 385 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Elizabeth Wallfisch. Performer: Anthony Robson. Performer: Richard Tunnicliffe. Performer: Paul Nicholson. Ensemble: Convivium.
    • Handel, Trio Sonatas for Oboe and Violin: Convivium.
    • Hyperion.
    • 5.

Broadcast

  • Fri 15 Mar 2024 19:30
    BBC Radio 3