Long ago, a Franciscan monk wrote the poem Stabat Mater Dolorosa: a complaint from Mary about her crucified son Jesus. The poem has been set countless times, at least in the past. From the 20th century, the harvest starts to disappoint. Of the big names, only and the only ones to deliver respectable concert versions. The tone for the 21st century has now been set. Stabat Mater was commissioned by
… Harry Christophers and his ensemble The Sixteen. That was not the first collaboration between MacMillan and The Sixteen. In 2001 MacMillan composed the motet O bone Jesu for ensemble, followed in 2009 by a Miserere. '… A truly masterly recorded performance', says Gramophone about this release. (HJ)more
