James Macmillan’s first concerto for percussion and orchestra, Veni, Veni, Emmanuel, was written especially for Evelyn, who gave the première in 1992 and has has performed the work many times since. One of the most popular concertos of modern times, Macmillan’s work is cast in a single movement and dedicated, touchingly, to his parents. Macmillan has based the music on the Advent plainsong with which the piece shares a name. Indeed, composition begun on the first Sunday of Advent in 1991 and concluded on Easter Sunday 1992. At the very end of the piece the music takes a corresponding liturgical detour, deriving its ideas from the Gloria of the Easter Vigil. On one level the concerto is purely abstract. On another level it explores the theology behind the Advent message.
Please note: this album has been released three times so there are three difference album covers for it.
Repertoire
Macmillan: Veni, Veni, Emmanuel
Macmillan: After the Tryst
Macmillan: …As Others See Us…
Macmillan: Three Dawn Rituals
Macmillan: Untold
Performers
Solo Percussion: Evelyn Glennie
Violin: Ruth Crouch
Piano: James Macmillan
Conductors: Jukka-Pekka Saraste & James Macmillan
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
