MacMillan, James: Nunc Dimittis - (orchestral version) (2001) 8'
for SATB choir and orchestra
Music Text
1962 Book of Common Prayer (E)
Scoring
1.picc.1.corA.2.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(2):vib/glsp/t.bells/tam-t/susp.cym/BD-harp- organ(ad lib)-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).
Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.
World premiere of version
11/16/2001
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
BBC Philharmonic and BBC Singers / James MacMillan
Repertoire Note
Choral level of difficulty: 2-3 (5 greatest)
MacMillan’s large-scale festival setting of the Nunc Dimittis, commissioned by Winchester Cathedral, can be performed with organ or orchestra. The choral style is simple and often homophonic - unusual for the composer. Much of the elaboration of the textual imagery occurs in the introspective, Messiaen-tinged non-choral episodes, evoking evening and birdsong. The Nunc Dimittis starts wonderfully with very low bass notes portraying the elderly Simeon. It builds to a huge and exciting climax and ends with the basses’ low notes once more.
Repertoire note by Paul Spicer
for SATB choir and orchestra
Music Text
1962 Book of Common Prayer (E)
Scoring
1.picc.1.corA.2.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(2):vib/glsp/t.bells/tam-t/susp.cym/BD-harp- organ(ad lib)-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).
Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.
World premiere of version
11/16/2001
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
BBC Philharmonic and BBC Singers / James MacMillan
Repertoire Note
Choral level of difficulty: 2-3 (5 greatest)
MacMillan’s large-scale festival setting of the Nunc Dimittis, commissioned by Winchester Cathedral, can be performed with organ or orchestra. The choral style is simple and often homophonic - unusual for the composer. Much of the elaboration of the textual imagery occurs in the introspective, Messiaen-tinged non-choral episodes, evoking evening and birdsong. The Nunc Dimittis starts wonderfully with very low bass notes portraying the elderly Simeon. It builds to a huge and exciting climax and ends with the basses’ low notes once more.
Repertoire note by Paul Spicer
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