Hebrides Ensemble, James MacMillan

When Hebrides Ensemble premiered Since it was the day of preparation… in 2012, the response was extraordinary. ‘Wonderfully rich’, wrote The Times; ‘Broad, blazing and stunning’, said The Herald. This November, Hebrides Ensemble brings this remarkable work to two magnificent venues, whose vaulted acoustics create the perfect reflective backdrop for MacMillan’s rich and intricate score.

Written as a ‘postscript’ to his St John Passion, Since it was the day of preparation… explores the biggest mystery in the greatest story ever told – Christ’s Resurrection. With just five instrumentalists and five singers, MacMillan’s scoring is as intimate as the story itself, one that is a tale of despair and sacrifice, but also ultimately of celebration.

At times plaintive and lyrical, at others reaching into the far corners of tonality, this is a masterpiece of musical storytelling, finding a very human story in something divine.

There will be a pre-concert talk with James MacMillan at 7:00pm.

*This show was moved from St Mary's Cathedral on Palmerston Place*