The Elysian Singers of London celebrate the enormous and varied contribution of Sir James MacMillan (b. 1959) to the choral repertoire over the last 20 years. Beginning with MacMillan’s blazing 2016 ‘choral fanfare’ Blow the trumpet in the new moon, the programme explores the spiritual and secular texts that have influenced MacMillan, also including his monumental setting of Psalm 51 Miserere. The Elysian Singers of London is one of the UK’s leading chamber choirs. Known for its adventurous programming, the choir performs in and around London and has recorded many widely acclaimed albums. This is the choir’s second recording of works by James MacMillan, following their critically-acclaimed first release with Signum Cantos Sagrados (SIGCD507): “Robust yet tonally refined performances” (BBC Music Magazine) “Sam Laughton’s Elysian Singers perform here with captivating intensity, thrillingly so in Cantos Sagrados” (Classic FM)

Cappella Nova has a longstanding reputation of championing contemporary music, and its latest album Consecration is no exception. Comprising world premiere recordings in a programme specially curated by Sir James MacMillan, it includes a very personal selection of the composer’s recent choral works. The sequence of five Culham Motets, written for the consecration of the Chapel of Christ the Redeemer at Culham Court on 9 December 2015, show MacMillan at his transcendently numinous best in an emotional and technical tour de force, setting texts of visionary and mystic ceremonial power. Consecration also includes MacMillan’s well-beloved St. Anne’s Mass along with a fascinating collection of works written for family occasions: the weddings of two of his children and his father’s Requiem Mass. This is the fourth instalment of Cappella Nova’s celebrated MacMillan series on Linn.