Performance on 3 - James McMillan - Part 1

Live from King's College, Cambridge Presented by Louise Fryer The Passion story as told by St. John is given a very personal setting by composer James MacMillan. This version of the Easter story is the one MacMillan feels most intimately acquainted, hearing it recited or sung every Good Friday in the Catholic liturgy. In this musical retelling he infuses it with his love of both Gregorian chant and opera and creates music that is at turns sparse and yet dramatic. Set in English and Latin the piece is scored for one principal soloist, Christ, sung tonight by baritone Mark Stone, with a chamber choir that narrates the story and a large chorus which takes the role of the other main characters of the Passion. James MacMillan - The Passion of our Lord according to St John Mark Stone (baritone) - Christus Choir of King's College Philharmonia Chorus BBC Concert Orchestra Stephen Cleobury (conductor) Followed by a focus on sacred music. Ian Skelly is joined by Harry Christophers, conductor of The Sixteen, to explore some of the music featured in the BBC4 series Sacred Music.