Alpha & Omega: Choral Music by James MacMillan

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Cappella Nova make James MacMillan's Missa Dunelmi sound much easier to sing than it is, and that's a compliment...Perhaps it helps having MacMillan himself directing: it's interesting his default... — BBC Music Magazine, February 2014, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 25th Nov 2013
Catalogue No: CKD439
Label: Linn
Length: 67 minutes

BBC Music Magazine

February 2014

Choral & Song Choice

Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days

MacMillan: Missa Dunelmi

Work length20:08

$4.50

$6.80

$9.20

Cappella Nova I Alan Tavener I James MacMillan

I. Kyrie

Track length3:32

$1.00

$1.50

$2.05

II. Gloria

Track length7:07

$1.50

$2.30

$3.05

III. Sanctus - Benedictus

Track length4:43

$1.00

$1.50

$2.05

IV. Agnus Dei

Track length4:46

$1.00

$1.50

$2.05

MacMillan: St Patrick’s Magnificat

Work length6:41

$1.00

$1.50

$2.05

Cappella Nova I Alan Tavener I James MacMillan

MacMillan: …fiat mihi…

Work length5:07

$1.00

$1.50

$2.05

Cappella Nova I Alan Tavener I James MacMillan

MacMillan: Cum vidisset Jesus

Work length7:47

$1.50

$2.30

$3.05

Cappella Nova I Alan Tavener I James MacMillan

MacMillan: I am your Mother

Work length4:59

$1.00

$1.50

$2.05

Cappella Nova I Alan Tavener I James MacMillan

MacMillan: Invocation

Work length5:38

$1.00

$1.50

$2.05

Cappella Nova I Alan Tavener I James MacMillan

MacMillan: Domine non secundum peccata nostra

Work length9:38

$1.50

$2.30

$3.05

Cappella Nova I Alan Tavener I James MacMillan I Madeleine Mitchell

MacMillan: Alpha & Omega

Work length7:33

$1.50

$2.30

$3.05

Cappella Nova I Alan Tavener I James MacMillan

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About

After its 'undeniably beautiful' (The Financial Times) Linn debut and its ‘excellently performed’ (Fanfare) follow up, Cappella Nova releases a third volume of choral works by the leading contemporary composer, James MacMillan.

Of the eight works performed here, six receive their premiere recording (only Missa Dunelmi and Invocation have been previously recorded).

Cappella Nova has enjoyed a twenty five year association with MacMillan; many premiere performances later the choir has established an intuitive response to his work and a passion for his creativity which is evident on ‘Alpha & Omega’.

This recording is made particularly special because Missa Dunelmi is conducted here by the composer; founding director Alan Tavener lends his enthusiasm and expertise for the remaining works.

James MacMillan provides illuminating and fascinating insights into his work in a conversation with Rebecca Tavener included in the booklet note.

They are joined on ‘Alpha & Omega’ by violinist Madeleine Mitchell described by The Times as ‘one of Britain’s liveliest musical forces and foremost violinists’.

Cappella Nova’s previous recordings, ‘Tenebrae’ and ‘Who are these Angels?’ were both named in Gramophone as ‘Editor’s Choice’ albums; the latter also received several five star reviews.

Cappella Nova is ‘famous for its performances of contemporary music’ (The Guardian), having commissioned and premiered more than 60 new works including James MacMillan’s cantata for Holy Week Seven Last Words from the Cross (1994), which was the subject of seven short films for BBC2 TV.

MacMillan’s international career was launched at the BBC proms in 1990 with The Confession of Isobel Gowdie. Since then his music has been programmed extensively at international music festivals.

Cappella Nova has an unrivalled reputation as champions of Scotland’s unique treasury of early vocal music.

Highlights over the past thirty years include winning a Glenfiddich Living Scotland award for their groundbreaking performances of Scottish early music and performing in the presence of HM The Queen.

Reviews

February 2014

Cappella Nova make James MacMillan's Missa Dunelmi sound much easier to sing than it is, and that's a compliment...Perhaps it helps having MacMillan himself directing: it's interesting his default dynamic in the piece is restrained and quietly spoken, enhancing the devotional atmosphere...A marvellous set of performances.

January 2014

Rich in premiere recordings and with the additional curiosity of a composer-conducted Missa Dunelmi, this is an essential disc on content alone...Cappella Nova have a particularly white, straight sound...which shows off the bone-structure of these exquisite motets, poised somewhere between beauty and anguished intensity.

28th January 2014

The music is stimulating and compelling and the performances are first rate. I should imagine James MacMillan is delighted with the committed advocacy of his music by Cappella Nova: once again they have done him proud.

15th December 2013

The group specialise in commissioning new works as well as performing early music. They bring control and precision to the ecstatic, incantatory nature of MacMillan's work in these eight works

Alpha & Omega: Choral Music by James MacMillan

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