Le grand Inconnu

Few living composers communicate with the emotional directness of James MacMillan, and the opportunity to hear two substantial new works in one concert is genuinely rare.

Imagine a vision too wondrous for eyes alone – ‘the lady more brilliant than the sun’. ‘The lady’ is the Virgin Mary, and The Sun Danced is an ecstatic choral celebration of the Miracle of Fatima. It’s no secret that MacMillan’s profound religious belief drives his creativity, but music this powerful conveys a universal message, and the title of his new symphony Le grand Inconnu suggests many possible interpretations. But with Harry Christophers conducting the Britten Sinfonia and The Sixteen, the music will speak eloquently for itself.

Tagged with: Classical music Britten Sinfonia Barbican Presents More...

End-time to be announced nearer the event.

Standard £15–41

Young Barbican

£10

14–25? Become a Young Barbican member.

*Excludes £3 booking fee

Save for later Event saved

Pre-concert talk 6.15pm

Reviews

‘Music of astonishing beauty and clarity‘

Artsdesk

‘There’s a London performance at the Barbican in October, and you should try and hear [it]. I could be very wrong... but right now, it feels important.‘

Spectator

‘Le grand Inconnu needs to become well known, and widely heard‘

The Herald

‘The world needs more composers like MacMillan: powerful, communicative composers who never hide where they come from, what they believe in, or what they feel‘

The Times

Discover

Photo of The Sixteen orchestra performing on stage

Watch: The Sixteen - Le grand Inconnu

The Sixteen sing Sir James MacMillan's new choral symphony, Le grand Inconnu.

Photo of Sir James Macmillan looking into the camera

Listen: Sir James MacMillan on his Fifth Symphony

Sir James MacMillan and Cardinal Vincent Nichols talk about the Holy Spirit and MacMillan’s Fifth Symphony.

Collection: Classical Music

From world-class international orchestras and ensembles, top soloists and musicians to innovative young talents, discover exclusive content from our classical programme and creative learning projects with Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Podcast: Classical Music

Hear interviews, performances and exclusive tracks from the world’s finest classical musicians and performers, Barbican resident orchestras and our international associates in Barbican Classical Music podcasts.

Available on iTunes, Spotify and Acast