The Confession of Isobel Gowdie confirmed Scottish composer James MacMillan as a major talent in 1990. Its inspiration – the brutal execution of a 17th-century ’witch’ – brought from him a score of enormous energy and compassion. Commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra, The World’s Ransomingis a reflection on the liturgies of Maundy Thursday.
 

The premiere performance of The Confession of Isobel Gowdie in 1990 confirmed the Scottish composer James MacMillan as a major talent. Inspired by the brutal execution of a seventeenth-century ‘witch’, he brought forth a score of enormous energy and compassion. Commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra, The World’s Ransoming is a reflection on the liturgies of Maundy Thursday.

‘It is well known that many of James MacMillan’s compositions are inspired by his Catholic beliefs, and both of the works on this new CD from the London Symphony Orchestra on LSO Live fall into the same category. But the prominent Scottish composer’s ability to create instantly appealing sound-worlds and vivid musico-dramatic narratives has meant that his works are easily accessible, even to non-Christians or those who might be otherwise apathetic to the contemporary music scene. The two performances by Sir Colin Davis and the LSO in the fiftieth release on their excellent record label present as strong a case as any for the talents of a composer who has tended to eschew the avant-garde and instead embrace a more ethereal, atmospheric style of writing music.’

5 stars

MusicalCritisicm.com