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Le grand Inconnu

The Sixteen

,Barbican Hall

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 Barbican Presents 2019-20 Britten Sinfonia 2019-20 More...

This performance will end at approximately 9.35pm, including a 20 minute interval.

Programme

  • Arvo Pärt   Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten
  • Britten   Hymn to Saint Cecilia
  • Sir James MacMillan   The Sun Danced (UK premiere)
  •   Symphony No 5, Le grand Inconnu (Genesis Foundation commission)

Performers

  • Mary Bevan   soprano
  • Harry Christophers   conductor

Pre-concert talk 6.15pm

Sir James MacMillan in conversation with Sara Mohr-Pietsch, free to ticket holders

Download the programme

Download a copy of the programme here

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 Harry Christophers talking to the camera about James Macmillan

Watch: Harry Christophers on MacMillan's Fifth Symphony

Hear why Harry Christophers thinks we're 'witness to a masterpiece' in MacMillan's new choral symphony.

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.

Barbican Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
​​​​​​​The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.