Programme

James MacMillan (Conductor/Composer)

 “James MacMillan is the greatest living British composer.” The Telegraph

“Beguiling, intriguing, poignant, hilarious, electrifyingly exciting, challenging and comprehensively revelatory music!” The Herald

 “As both conductor and composer, MacMillan presented a stunning evening of intense, powerful music that left his audience silent, breathless, transfixed.” The Globe and Mail

 “MacMillan conducted his own music that was ceaselessly inventive, evocative and penetrating—His estimable mastery of orchestral timbre and effect was evident throughout.” The New York Times

Sir James MacMillan is one of today’s most successful composers, also internationally active as a conductor. His musical language is flooded with influences from his Scottish heritage, Catholic faith, social conscience and close connection with Celtic folk music, blended with influences from Far Eastern Scandinavian and Eastern European music. He first attracted international attention with the acclaimed BBC Proms première of The Confession of Isobel Gowdie, and his percussion concerto Veni, Veni Emmanuel has received over 500 performances worldwide. His interpreters include Evelyn Glennie, Colin Currie, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Vadim Repin, Leonard Slatkin, Andrew Davis, Marin Alsop, London Symphony Orchestra, New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and The Sixteen.

Ben Kim (Piano)

“A downright euphoric interpretation, full of vitality.”  Süddeutsche Zeitung

“Sparks were flying from the keyboard. Substantially gifted.” The Baltimore Sun

• Winner, ARD International Music Competition 2006
• Has collaborated with many leading orchestras and conductors including the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, Christoph Eschenbach, Andrew Litton and Christoph Poppen

Huang Shan (Trumpet)

• Principal Trumpet, Hong Kong Sinfonietta

On The Confession of Isobel Gowdie

 “A stirringly powerful work.” Gramophone

 “The Confession of Isobel Gowdie – a turbulent symphonic saga.” The New York Times

 “MacMillan’s self-styled pluralism is as emotionally direct as anything in Mahler and Shostakovich.” Musicweb-international

 “MacMillan brilliantly demonstrated in Isobel Gowdie that accessibility need not necessarily involve compromise… a powerful, all-embracing and unifying emotional impulse.” The Daily Telegraph

On Larghetto for Orchestra

“MacMillan added a range of volume and feeling that no choir in the world can replicate…The composer treated the orchestra as multiple choirs, with strings, winds and brass each contributing chorale-like sections as well as blending to create new shades of sound.” Pittsburgh Post – Gazette

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Featured artists:

James MacMillan
(Conductor)

Ben Kim
(Piano)

Huang Shan
(Trumpet)