In a few days’ time, as has become its custom, the concert venue of St John’s Smith Square in London will revert to something like its origins as a church and celebrate Holy Week – not, alas, with liturgy but with a festival of choral music sung by whatever the collective noun is for conveyor-belts of choirs. And much of what they’ll sing will be the music of Sir James MacMillan, in recognition of the fact that he celebrates his 60th birthday in July. A fact hard to acknowledge when it seems like yesterday that I first met him – during the St Magnus Festival on Orkney in the 1980s, when he came across as tough and radical, wearing an earring with the street-cred chic of somebody from a Gitanes advertisement – and young. As were we all.
2:00 PM
'People are fascinated by the baffling aspects of Christian belief': an interview with Sir James MacMillan
in a few days’ time, as has become its custom, the concert venue of st john’s smith square in london will revert to something like its origi...
Michael White
7 min read
Already a subscriber? Sign in
5freearticles every month
Continue reading with a free account. No card needed.
- Five free articles every thirty days, on any device you sign in on
- The Catholic Herald newsletter, every morning
- Subscribe whenever you like for everything: every article and the magazine
subscribe to the catholic herald today
Our best content is exclusively available to our subscribers. Subscribe today and gain instant access to expert analysis, in-depth articles, and thought-provoking insights—anytime, anywhere. Don’t miss out on the conversations that matter most.
Subscribe
