The Strathclyde Motets

Choral level of difficulty: 3 (5 greatest)

This is a prime example of MacMillan’s outstanding contrapuntal writing. Not difficult – again writing for an average choir but writing a piece which when sung by the best can become positively luminous. The music is a seemingly unending flow of interacting lines which, at points, momentarily look over the shoulder at his familiar ornamental melodies – like a fleeting smile of recognition. The whole piece is built on a cantus firmus which the altos sing throughout and the other lines move in and around.

Beautiful timeless music which simply needs to be sung with sensitivity and musicality.

Repertoire Note by Paul Spicer