Roman Catholic composer James MacMillan here follows his St John and St Luke Passions with a work that moves into the period after the Crucifixion.
Since it was the day of Preparation . . . (2012) lasts more than 70 minutes but calls for just 10 performers, a bass solo in the role of Christ, a vocal quartet, and an unusual quintet (deployed with great acuity) of clarinet, horn, harp, theorbo and cello, each instrument also given a cadenza-like solo interlude.
The Scotman is never shy about revealing influences.
The stylistic gamut of the music is wide, but there’s real narrative thrust in this atmospheric, often contemplative setting, made gripping in a consistently fervent performance.
