The Sixteen gives the world premiere of James MacMillan’s Stabat Mater, surrounded and illuminated by music from across five centuries.
Few living composers communicate with the emotional directness of James MacMillan, so the first performance of his Stabat Mater is a major occasion. Harry Christophers directs The Sixteen and Britten Sinfonia place MacMillan in context with music from Tallis to Vaughan Williams.
For the composer, ’beauty is at the heart of our Christian faith’ and his new Stabat Mater is sure to be profoundly shaped by his beliefs. But this is a work with deep roots and a universal message; placed next to hauntingly emotional music by Tallis and his own Miserere, the Stabat Mater becomes a celebration both of tradition and of radical renewal.
Programme
James MacMillan Miserere
Tallis Why fum’th in fight
Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis
Britten Prelude and Fugue (Saffron Hall only)
James MacMillan Stabat Mater (world premiere performances)
Please note that the programme for Edinburgh and Glasgow differs from the one listed above. Please see individual concert listings for details.