MacMillan: Violin Concerto & Symphony No. 4
World Premiere Recordings
MacMillan:
Violin Concerto
Vadim Repin (violin)
Symphony No. 4
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Donald Runnicles
Two major works from Sir James Macmillan make their CD debut! The Violin Concerto is performed on this disc by its dedicatee Vadim Repin.
Reviewing the world premiere, David Nice of The Arts Desk lauded, "As soloist Vadim Repin and conductor Valery Gergiev whirled us tumultuously through its hyperactive songs and dances, there was so much I wanted to savour, to hear again. That won't be a problem. So long as there are violinists of Repin's calibre able to play it, the work is here to stay."
The 4th Symphony is dedicated to Donald Runnicles and was written to celebrate his 60th birthday. Sir James MacMillan is one of today’s most successful composers. 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.
The 4th Symphony recording is from the 2015 BBC Proms and was the world premiere performance "Densely, at times exotically scored, it was grandly played. Runnicles conducted it with great affection and dignity" Tim Ashley, The Guardian