Personalities | James Macmillan | Contemporary | Classical

b. 1959
Scottish composer

Widely considered Scotland’s leading living composer, Macmillan achieved almost overnight recognition with his orchestral piece The Confession of Isobel Gowdie (1990), which commemorates a victim of the seventeenth-century Scottish witch-hunts. The work embodied three themes that would establish themselves in his later output: an interest in Scottish subject-matter and folk traditions (Tuireadh, 1991; From Ayrshire, 2005), a concern for social and political justice (The Exorcism of Rio Sumpúl, 1989), and Roman Catholic theology and liturgy (Seven Last Words from the Cross, 1993; The World’s Ransoming, 1995–96; Masses and motets for liturgical use). His percussion concerto Veni, Veni Emmanuel (1991–92), written for Evelyn Glennie, has received almost 500 performances. His St John Passion (2007) was a joint commission of the London Symphony and Boston Symphony orchestras.

Recommended Recording:
The Confession of Isobel Gowdie, The World’s Ransoming, LSO (cond) Sir Colin Davis (LSO Live)

Introduction | Contemporary | Classical
Personalities | Luigi Nono | Contemporary | Classical

AUTHORITATIVE

An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...

CURATED

Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.

Rock, A Life Story

Rock, A Life Story

The ultimate story of a life of rock music, from the 1950s to the present day.

David Bowie

David Bowie

Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers his life, music, art and movies, with a sweep of incredible photographs.