Raving reviews about MacMillan-CD
In March 2010 a beautiful CD with two works by James MacMillan was issued on the BIS label. By now critics of Gramophone, International Record Review, BBC Music Magazine and Luister have all written most favourably about it.
On this SACD one can hear recordings of Visitatio Sepulchri, performed by the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic and the Netherlands Radio Choir led by the composer, and Sun-Dogs just by the Radio Choir conducted by its chief conductor Celso Antunes.
Gramophone
In the August issue of Gramophone Edward Greenfield is amazed that '... a Dutch choir can offer such strong and polished performances.' With this he refers to the singers' excellent pronunciation of the English language'. He concludes with: 'Altogether a fine coupling of two superb works, a credit to performers and to the BIS recording engineers, who offer sound both clear and atmosphere.'‘Outstanding’
Marc Rochester ends his review of Sun-Dogs in International Record Review with: ‘There are passages of great beauty…..and all is handled with a breadth of sound and almost quasi-instrumental range by the outstanding Netherlands Radio Choir under its Brazilian Chief Conductor Celso Antunes.’‘Fundamental passions’
About Visitatio Sepulchri this critic writes: “MacMillan urges the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic players along at a frenetic pace, and they come up trumps in orchestral playing which is of a truly virtuoso aspect. It’s compelling stuff, superbly captured in BIS’s magnificent surround-sound recording, and when the chorus makes its first appearance, almost ten minutes into this 40-minute score, its emergence from the depths of the texture is a thoroughly arresting moment.Altogether this is a stirring disc, presenting music clearly driven by fundamental passions and beliefs in performances which combine technical virtuosity with a real empathy with both the music and the message the composer is putting across.”
Editor's Choice
Siebe Riedstra reviewed this CD in the July/August issue of the Dutch music magazine Luister. He awards its performance ánd registration both with the maximum of five stars. This release is also one of the issue's ten Editor's Choices. Riedstra considers the recordings 'a magnificent show case for the Netherlands Radio Choir... one of the best-kept secrets in musical Holland.'Sun-Dogs
About Sun-Dogs he writes: '... singers wisper, shout, sigh and whistle, but above all sing beautifully'. His final remark is: 'Everything has been recorded splendidly...'BBC Music Magazine
David Nice too was full of prasise about the CD. In BBC Music Magazine of September 2010 he awarded performance and recording both the maximum five stars: *****. He ends his review with 'It would be hard to imagine a more fervent performance than this, conducted by the composer."
Guest conductor
James MacMillan has been appointed permanent guest conductor of the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic starting 1 September 2010 .James MacMillan: Visitatio Sepulchri and Sun-Dogs
Netherlands Radio Choir and Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic
James MacMillan, conductor; Celso Antunes, conductor
BIS 1719, 1 sacd
Laatste aanpassing op Monday 23 August 2010