SKU: HL.48025184

ISBN 9781784548162. UPC: 196288113201. 7.25x10.25x0.035 inches.

Especially commissioned by the Dean & Chapter of Westminster for performance at the funeral service of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September 2022. The text, from St Paul's Letter to the Romans, perfectly reflects the late Queen's steadfast Christian faith, as demonstrated by her unswerving devotion to her destiny as a national and world leader, and as personally expressed in her annual Christmas broadcasts. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nothing present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, whichis in Christ Jesus our Lord. Alleluia. Amen.” The work expresses hope, triumph and rejoicing; while fitting for memorial and remembrance services in general. it will also be found suitable at Easter and for general use. As an alternative to “Allelulia,” a verse from the Book of Revelation is provided, for use during penitential seasons. “Composer Sir James MacMillan's anthem hits the right note ... He joins a list of composers of royal funeral music stretching back to Henry Purcell and George Frideric Handel.” –The Times.

SKU: HL.48024806

ISBN 9781784543792. UPC: 888680978648. 8.25x11.75 inches.

Scored for baritone solo, small 'narrator' chorus, large chorus and orchestra, MacMillan's first Passion setting was composed in 2007. Lasting 87 minutes the work is divided into two parts, with 10 movements overall. As Paul Spicer has commented, “The originality of the St John Passion lies in MacMillan's ability to mix old with new, rather in the manner of Bach in his day. There are passages of sumptuous polyphony and there is a fresh look at the text where passages of Latin are interspersed with the Gospel story in English. In movement seven ('Jesus and his Mother'), MacMillan introduces not only part of the Stabat Mater but also his own words ('Lully, lulla, my dear darling'). The final movement, which is purely orchestral, is a kind of via doloroso march with a Scots lament over quite brass chords. The string writing here, with its elegiac cello lines, is deeply reminiscent of the early 20th-century English school. This should be the War Requiem of the 21st century.&rdquo.