SUBTLE CELEBRATION

JAMES MACMILLAN talks to RODERIC DUNNETT
about composing sacred and liturgical music

<< Continued from page 3

James MacMillan. Photo: Peter Devlin/Boosey and Hawkes

'I don't think of myself as a "liturgical" composer. But I used to sing tenor in choirs at school, and later at University, and I loved it. Sacred music is something I've always enjoyed writing, ever since I was at school.

'Even though I happen to be a believer, any composer, regardless of what he or she believes, is free to set the words of the Mass. Some of the great Christian works were written by agnostics and atheists - think of Janácek, Verdi, Vaughan Williams!

'James O'Donnell (the then organist of Westminster Cathedral, and now organist of Westminster Abbey) has been very keen to commission new work at Westminster Cathedral. He knew of my interest in general theological matters - I'd written quite a lot of smaller choral pieces, requested by Anglican choirs, which were heard both within the liturgy and in concert performances. When James moved on to the Abbey, Martin Baker came on board and has been very enthusiastic in preparing the boys and men for the first performance.'

Continue >>