Music & popular culture
Reviews
Plenty to say on everything from politics and culture to religion… deeply personal'
Classical Music Magazine
Those who are fascinated and entranced by James MacMillan’s music will be keen to read his ‘little book’, in which he explores the things that make him tick, including faith, British amateur music-making, and the importance of music to society'
Choir and Organ
Part memoir, part reflection, and readable in a few hours, it’s a thought-provoking publication, contextualizing much of what the composer has said publicly over the years, albeit another unfinished story'
Scotsman
An insightful and thoughtfully written memoir'
Dundee Courier, Scottish Book of the Week
[James MacMillan] looks back on a stellar career as Scotland’s most celebrated classical composer. … In his memoir he writes, “Music has the power to look into the abyss as well as to the transcendent heights.” In his 60 years, Sir James MacMillan has done both'
The Times
About the Book
Sir James MacMillan first burst into prominence in 1990 with The Confessions of Isobel Gowdie. A steady stream of works has followed, with commissions from many of the world’s major orchestras.
A prominent part of his work is his religious composition, which includes settings of both the John and Luke passions, Tu Es Petrus (for the 2010 papal visit to Britain) and numerous smaller choral pieces. His works are heard all around the world – Seven Last Words from the Cross has been performed in 24 countries since its premiere in 1994, and his Stabat Mater received a private performance at the Sistine Chapel in 2018.
He is a trenchant commentator on a wide range of political, social and theological issues, many of which spring from his commitment to the cultural life of Scotland. He is a passionate advocacy of community involvement in music and set up the burgeoning music festival The Cumnock Tryst in 2013. Much of his music reflects his strong Scottish roots and interest in all aspects of musical tradition.
The Author
James MacMillan
Sir James MacMillan has written works for, amongst many others, the London Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, The King’s Singers and The Sixteen. His music has been performed by leading soloists including Evelyn Glennie, Mstislav Rostropovich, Colin Currie, Ian Bostridge, Vadim Repin and Amy Dickson.
