Cover: Crucifixion (1995) by Craigie Aitchison
Hyperion CDA67460 · August 2005
MacMillan - Seven Last Words from the Cross
Polyphony, Stephen Layton (conductor)
Press
The Times2005MacMillan has a tremendous gift for making the simple resonate; the 2001 Te Deum, a first recording, shows he also knows just how to freshen an ageing choral tradition. Some fantastic singing here; and glorious musicRead the review 
The Independent2005James MacMillan's work is informed by his Catholic faith, but rarely has he communicated his spiritual message as effectively as in this large-scale piece. Perhaps Haydn's example has forced him to raise his game, or maybe it…Read the review 
Music Week2005In an ideal world, Hyperion's August disc of the month would sell by the truckload. The sheer quality of James MacMillan's Seven Last Words, the intensity of Stephen Layton's interpretation and the unrestrained, heartfelt…Read the review 
Gramophone Magazine2005an intense, deeply felt interpretation, full of beautiful and affecting singing, with all the elements - string orchestra, featured violin, choir and soloists - nicely balanced … As ever, MacMillan incorporates all his…Read the review 
BBC Music Magazine2005This splendid new performance from Polyphony also conveys dignity, and a sense (hard to explain) that the suffering is, in some mysterious way, redemptive. Easier to quantify, the singing is also remarkably secure technically…Read the review 
International Record Review2005… the qualities which have made Polyphony one of the finest choirs around at the moment are very much in evidence in these assured and perceptive performances. James Vivian's organ accompaniments are perfectly balanced and the…Read the review 
The Birmingham Post2005This stunning work, brilliantly performed by Stephen Layton's chamber choir Polyphony and the Britten Sinfonia, is something no serious lover of choral music should be withoutRead the review 
American Record Guide2005If you've heard them and followed the laudatory press they've gotten worldwide, you already know that this [Polyphony] is one of the world's truly great chamber choirs. Layton always gets breathtaking beauty of tone from them…Read the review 
Classic FM Magazine2005Best buy (opera/vocal) September 2005 In the decade since Stephen Layton’s Polyphony made the premiere recording of MacMillan’s Seven Last Words, choir and conductor have matured in all the best ways. This new Hyperion disc…Read the review 
Choir and Organ2005The two premiere recordings on this disc are the Te Deum and On the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin. The former is stunning, containing many of MacMillan's characteristics: beautiful contrapuntal lines often highly decorated…Read the review 
BBC Radio 32005If you want contemporary choral music that will challenge you rather than just relax you, then you might want to try this: Seven Last Words from the Cross written in 1994 by the Scottish composer James MacMillan. I think what I…Read the review
Recorded: Various dates
Produced by Mark Brown
Engineered by Julian Millard
Release date: August 2005
Total duration: 67 minutes 47 seconds
Track list
- Seven Last Words from the Cross: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they doSir James MacMillan (b1959)5'45
- Seven Last Words from the Cross: Woman, Behold thy Son! … Behold, thy Mother!Sir James MacMillan (b1959)5'07
- Seven Last Words from the Cross: Verily, I say unto thee, today thou shalt be with me in ParadiseSir James MacMillan (b1959)8'18
- Seven Last Words from the Cross: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?Sir James MacMillan (b1959)6'28
- Seven Last Words from the Cross: I thirstSir James MacMillan (b1959)5'30
- Seven Last Words from the Cross: It is finishedSir James MacMillan (b1959)6'46
- Seven Last Words from the Cross: Father, into thy hands I commend my spiritSir James MacMillan (b1959)8'10
- On the Annunciation of the Blessed VirginSir James MacMillan (b1959)6'41
- Te DeumSir James MacMillan (b1959)15'02
Recording details from Hyperion Records.