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[Raising Sparks]’…is as dark as Mussorgsky,
as awesome as Akhmatova. MacMillan makes Roberts' words
flow as naturally as psalm-pointing. One moment he is
as desolate as Rilke ("came a single lightning
bolt"), the next as subtle as Sappho or a Tang
dynasty poem ("Under my shell was a smithereen
of sun/ hidden in snow among wild yellow olives").…the
effect is hypnotising.’
The Independent - Roderic Dunnett
Raising Sparks
Raising Sparks – song cycle with James
MacMillan
premiered at the Royal Festival Hall. Since performed
in France, Spain, Canada, Australia, America. Broadcast
on Radio 3. Released on CD in 2002.
Quickening
– oratorio with James MacMillan
a BBC Proms co-commission with Philadelphia Symphony
Orchestra, premiered at Royal Albert Hall by the Hilliard
Ensemble, BBC Symphony Orchestra/Chorus, and Westminster
Cathedral Choir. US premiere in 2002, with further performances
in Europe. Broadcast on Radio 3.
Parthenogenesis
- chamber opera with James MacMillan
a commission by the Britten Sinfonia and Cambridge University.
Performed at 2001 Edinburgh Festival, and in Spain and
Italy. Broadcast on Radio 3.
| The Birds of Rhiannon
– choral work with James MacMillan
a BBC Proms commission, premiered at Royal Albert
Hall in Proms 2001. Released on CD in 2002.
Chosen
– choral work with James MacMillan
Sun Dogs
– choral work with James MacMillan |
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The Sacrifice
– opera with James MacMillan
commissioned by the Welsh National Opera, with premiere
in Cardiff’s millennium centre in 2007. Working
with director Katie Mitchell.
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