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James MacMillan
Person · male · United Kingdom · Kilwinning · born 1959 · recording since 1992
Scottish composer and conductor (born 1959)
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Also known as James McMillan · 詹姆斯·麦克米兰
Timeline
45 events▣ Album 38✦ Award 5◦ Birth 1★ Debut release 1
1950s
1990s
· Debut release
Debut release: The Confession of Isobel Gowdie / Tryst
First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
· Album
Album: Tryst / Ì (A Meditation on Iona) / Adam´s Rib / They Saw the Stone had been Rolled Away
Album
source: musicbrainz
2000s
· Album
Album: The Confession Of Isobel Gowdie / Tuireadh / The Exorcism Of Rio Sumpúl
Album
source: musicbrainz
2010s
2020s
Biography
English biography1,532 words · 11 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1378853221
Biography
Sir James Loy MacMillan (born 16 July 1959) is a Scottish classical composer and conductor.
Early life and education
MacMillan was born at Kilwinning, in North Ayrshire, but lived in the East Ayrshire town of Cumnock until 1977. His father is James MacMillan, a carpenter, and his mother is Ellen MacMillan (née Loy).
He studied musical composition at the University of Edinburgh with Rita McAllister and Kenneth Leighton, obtaining a BMus degree in 1981, and later at Durham University with John Casken, where he completed a PhD degree in Composition in 1987. At Durham he was a member of the College of St Hild and St Bede as an undergraduate student and the Graduate Society while studying for his doctorate. He was a lecturer in music at the Victoria University of Manchester from 1986 to 1988. After his studies, MacMillan returned to Scotland, composing prolifically, and becoming Associate Composer with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, often working on education projects. As a young man he was briefly a member of the Young Communist League.
Career
He came to the attention of the classical establishment with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra's premiere of The Confession of Isobel Gowdie at the BBC Proms in 1990. Isobel Gowdie was one of many women executed for witchcraft in 17th-century Scotland. According to the composer, "On behalf of the Scottish people the work craves absolution and offers Isobel Gowdie the mercy and humanity that was denied her in the last days of her life."
The work's international acclaim spurred more high-profile commissions, including a percussion concerto for fellow Scot Evelyn Glennie: Veni, Veni, Emmanuel. It was premiered in 1992 and has become MacMillan's most performed work. He was also asked by Mstislav Rostropovich to compose his Cello Concerto, which Rostropovich premiered in 1997.
MacMillan was composer and conductor with the BBC Philharmonic from 2000 to 2009, following which he took up a position as principal guest conductor with the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic. His collaboration with Michael Symmons Roberts continued with his second opera, The Sacrifice (based on the ancient Welsh tales of the Mabinogion), premiered by Welsh National Opera in 2007. Sundogs, a large-scale work for a cappella choir, also using text by Symmons Roberts, was premiered by the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble in 2006.
Further successes have included the St John Passion jointly commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Sir Colin Davis at its world premiere in 2008.
Influences
MacMillan's music is infused with the spiritual and the political. His Catholic faith has inspired many of his sacred works, including a Magnificat (1999) and several Masses. This central strand of his life and compositions was marked by the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 2005, with a survey of his music titled From Darkness into Light. MacMillan and his wife are lay Dominicans, and he has collaborated with Michael Symmons Roberts, a Catholic poet.
MacMillan has also collaborated with Rowan Williams, then the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury. Perhaps his most political work is Cantos Sagrados (1990), a setting of Latin American poetry by Ariel Dorfman and Ana Maria Mendoza, combining elements of liberation theology with more conventional religious texts. MacMillan said that his aim in writing this work was to emphasise 'a deeper solidarity with the poor of that subcontinent' in the context of political repression.
Scottish traditional music has also had a profound musical influence, and is frequently discernible in his works. When the Scottish Parliament reconvened in 1999 after 292 years, a fanfare by MacMillan accompanied Elizabeth II into the parliamentary chamber. Weeks after the opening ceremony, MacMillan launched a vigorous attack on sectarianism in Scotland, particularly anti-Catholicism, in a speech titled "Scotland's Shame".
His choral work Mass (2000) was commissioned by Westminster Cathedral and contains sections which the congregation may join in singing. Similarly, the St Anne's Mass and Galloway Mass do not require advanced musicianship, being designed to be taught to a congregation.
One of his most important commissions (by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England & Wales and of Scotland) was for a new Mass setting for choir and congregation to be sung at two of the three Masses Pope Benedict XVI celebrated during his apostolic and state visit to Great Britain in 2010. First sung at Mass at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, on 16 September, it was sung again at the Mass and beatification of John Henry Newman at Cofton Park, Birmingham, on 19 September. MacMillan was also commissioned to write a setting of the text Tu es Petrus (Matthew 16:18) for the Pope's entry at Mass at Westminster Cathedral on 18 September.
BBC Radio 4 broadcast in 2020–2021 Faith in Music, Macmillan's examination of religious faith in the work of seven composers from Thomas Tallis to Leonard Bernstein.
Honours and fellowships
MacMillan and his wife are lay Dominicans, i.e. members of the Third Order of Saint Dominic, a relationship that began during his undergraduate years at Edinburgh.
He is an honorary fellow of Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford, and Professor of Theology, Imagination, and the Arts at St Mary's College, St Andrews. He is one of the patrons of St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh, the London Oratory School Schola, The British Art Music Series, and of the Schola Cantorum of the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School.
MacMillan was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2004 New Year Honours for services to Music. With his second opera The Sacrifice, he won a Royal Philharmonic Society Award in 2007. The same year, MacMillan was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE). In 2008, he received the British Composer Award for Liturgical Music for his Strathclyde Motets.
In 2008, he became honorary patron of London Chamber Orchestra's LCO New: Explore project, which explores links between music and other art forms and fosters emerging creative talent in composition. He also is the patron of the Strathearn Music Society. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2015 Birthday Honours for services to Music.
In 2019, The Guardian ranked MacMillan's Stabat Mater the 23rd greatest work of art music since 2000.
In 2024, he became a Fellow of The Ivors Academy, the 26th person to be so honoured.
In October 2025, he was nominated for two Ivor Novello Awards for his piece Concerto for Orchestra and Timotheus, Bacchus and Cecilia. King Charles III appointed him a Knight of the Order of the Thistle (KT) in June 2026. On 18 September 2026 King Charles III presented him the 2025 King's Medal for Music at Dumfries House, which had been awarded and announced 3 March 2026.
Personal life
MacMillan married Lynne Frew in 1983; they have three children. He also had a grandchild who had Dandy–Walker syndrome.
Key works
After the Tryst (violin and piano – 1988)
Cantos Sagrados (choir and organ – 1989)
The Confession of Isobel Gowdie (orchestra – 1990)
The Berserking (piano concerto – 1990)
Veni, Veni, Emmanuel (percussion concerto – 1992)
Seven Last Words from the Cross (cantata: choir and strings – 1993)
Inés de Castro (opera, libretto: Jo Clifford – 1991–95)
Britannia! (orchestra – 1994)
Christus Vincit (1994), for SSAATTBB and soli
Three Scottish Songs, voice and piano (text: William Soutar) (1995)
Cello Concerto (1996)
The World's Ransoming (cor anglais and orchestra – 1996)
Symphony: Vigil (1997)
Quickening (soloists, chorus and orchestra – 1998)
Symphony No. 2 (1999)
Mass (choir and organ – 2000)
Cello Sonata No. 2, dedicated to Julian Lloyd Webber
The Birds of Rhiannon (orchestra + optional chorus, text: Michael Symmons Roberts – 2001)
O Bone Jesu (2001), for SSAATTBB + soli
Symphony No. 3 "Silence" (2002)
Piano Concerto No. 2 (2003)
A Scotch Bestiary (organ and orchestra – 2004)
In splendoribus sanctorum (2005) (Introit for the Fifth Sunday of Lent; for soprano, alto, tenor and bass chorus, obbligato trumpet and/or organ; from the Strathclyde Motets)
Sun-Dogs (2006)
The Sacrifice (opera, 2007)
St John Passion (2008)
Piano Concerto No. 3 "The Mysteries of Light" (2008)
Miserere, mixed chorus a cappella (2009)
Violin Concerto No. 1 (2009)
Oboe Concerto (2010)
Clemency (2011)
Woman of the Apocalypse (2012)
St Luke Passion (2013)
Viola Concerto (2013)
Percussion Concerto No. 2 (2014)
Symphony No. 4 (2015)
Stabat Mater (2015)
A European Requiem (2015)
Larghetto for orchestra (transcription of Miserere, 2017)
Symphony No. 5 "Le grand Inconnu" (2018)
Her tears fell with the dews at even (2020)
A Christmas Oratorio (2021)
Violin Concerto No. 2 (2021)
"Who shall separate us?", anthem for the state funeral of Elizabeth II (2022)
Composed in August, Robert Burns song (2023), World Premiere (2024)
Articles
MacMillan, James (11 October 2008). "In harmony with heaven". The Tablet. pp. 12–13.
Critical studies and reviews
Capps, Michael (Summer 2007). "Warld in a roar: the music of James MacMillan". Image: A Journal of the Arts and Religion. 54: 95–108.
Spicer, Paul. "James MacMillan: Choral Music: a practical commentary and survey. Boosey & Hawkes (2001, updated 2021)
Reviews of world première of the Violin Concerto
Picard, Anna; Review; The Independent, 16 May 2010
Morrison, Richard; Review[link removed]; Times Online 14 May 2010
Ashley, Tim; Review; The Guardian, 17 May 2010
Personal life
Sweeney, Charlene; "Composer James MacMillan says Scotland in denial over anti-Catholicism"; Times Online, 8 December 2009 (subscription required)
Grey, Richard; "Composer's note of anger over music education"; Scotland on Sunday, 20 November 2005
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 20 | 81.1th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 42 | 93.1th |
| Studio albums | 38 | 98.8th |
| Awards recorded | 7 | 98.2th |
| Timeline events | 45 | 98.5th |
| Recording span (years) | 34 | 72.8th |
| Genres | 7 | 93th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (42 release groups · 38 studio albums)
Albums · 38
The Confession of Isobel Gowdie / Tryst
1992 · studio album
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Tracklist · 2 tracks · 53:23
1The Confession of Isobel Gowdie25:412Tryst27:42Búsqueda / Visitatio Sepulchri
1994 · studio album
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Tracklist · 4 tracks · 1:09:08
1Visitatio Sepulchri: Scene 18:132Visitatio Sepulchri: Scene 213:213Visitatio Sepulchri: Scene 318:524Búsqueda28:42Seven Last Words from the Cross
1995 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 1:07:57
1Seven Last Words from the Cross: I. Father, Forgive Them, for They Know Not What They Do6:102Seven Last Words from the Cross: II. Woman, Behold Thy Son!5:473Seven Last Words from the Cross: III. Verily, I Say UntoThee, Today Thou Shalt be with Me in Paradise8:234Seven Last Words from the Cross: IV. Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani6:385Seven Last Words from the Cross: V. I Thirst4:576Seven Last Words from the Cross: VI. It Is Finished6:347Seven Last Words from the Cross: VII. Father, into Thy Hands I Commend My Spirit7:228Cantos Sagrados: I. Identity8:419Cantos Sagrados: II. Virgin of Guadelupe7:3610Cantos Sagrados: III. Sun Stone5:491998 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 55:01
1Veni, Veni, Emmanuel: Introit2:342Veni, Veni, Emmanuel: Heart Beats2:593Veni, Veni, Emmanuel: Dance4:134Veni, Veni, Emmanuel: Transition2:525Veni, Veni, Emmanuel: Gaude6:196Veni, Veni, Emmanuel: Transition2:347Veni, Veni, Emmanuel: Dance Chorale2:518Veni, Veni, Emmanuel: Coda4:069Tryst26:331999 · studio album
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Tracklist · 3 tracks · 48:48
1Triduum, Pt. III, Symphony Vigil: I. Light9:172Triduum, Pt. III, Symphony Vigil: II. Tuba insonet salutaris12:283Triduum, Pt. III, Symphony Vigil: III. Water27:03The World's Ransoming / Cello Concerto
1999 · studio album
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Tracklist · 4 tracks · 1:01:04
1Triduum, Part I: The World's Ransoming21:072Triduum, Part II: Cello Concerto: I. the Mockery15:053Triduum, Part II: Cello Concerto: II. the Reproaches10:504Triduum, Part II: Cello Concerto: III. Dearest Wood and Dearest Iron14:02Tryst / Ì (A Meditation on Iona) / Adam´s Rib / They Saw the Stone had been Rolled Away
1999 · studio album
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Tracklist · 4 tracks · 57:04
1Tryst25:402Adam´s Rib10:133They Saw the Stone had been Rolled Away5:374Ì (A Meditation on Iona)15:342000 · studio album
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Tracklist · 7 tracks · 1:03:04
1Fourteen Little Pictures22:182Angel4:133Lumen Christi2:444Cello Sonata no. 1: First Movement: Face11:025Cello Sonata no. 1: Second Movement: Image11:456A Cecilian Variation for JFK3:297Kiss on Wood7:332001 · studio album
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Tracklist · 13 tracks · 1:05:35
1A New Song4:492Mass: Kyrie6:223Mass: Gloria6:064Mass: Alleluia1:355Mass: Sursum Corda and Preface2:276Mass: Sanctus and Benedictus4:337Mass: Eucharistic Prayer and Acclamations8:488Mass: Agnus Dei5:129Christus vincit6:1010Gaudeamus in loci pace6:4111Seinte Mari moder milde5:5412A Child's Prayer3:4713Changed3:11The Confession Of Isobel Gowdie / Tuireadh / The Exorcism Of Rio Sumpúl
2002 · studio album
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Tracklist · 5 tracks · 1:11:15
1The Confession of Isobel Gowdie26:352Tuireadh21:223The Exorcism of Rio Sumpúl: I. Assault8:104The Exorcism of Rio Sumpúl: II. Reflection7:395The Exorcism of Rio Sumpúl: III. Exorcism7:292002 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 1:09:29
1Magnificat13:102Nunc dimittis7:193Exsultet8:104Màiri10:035The Gallant Weaver6:366The Birds of Rhiannon: Largo: Andante - Tempo di reel - Allegro - Presto7:187The Birds of Rhiannon: ♩ = c. 60-635:458The Birds of Rhiannon: Andante3:149The Birds of Rhiannon: Tempo I (Largo)1:2710The Birds of Rhiannon: Chorus "Hauls, Hauls of Fish"6:272002 · studio album
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Tracklist · 7 tracks · 57:16
1Raising Sparks34:072Piano Sonata: I. Adagio2:373Piano Sonata: II. Grandioso ed affrettando9:184Piano Sonata: III. Adagio2:085For Ian4:576Birthday Present2:177Barncleupedie1:52Into the Ferment / The Berserking / Britannia
2003 · studio album
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Tracklist · 13 tracks · 1:07:31
1Britannia12:422The Berserking: ♪ = 140+ Energico -9:103The Berserking: ♩ = 60 -12:524The Berserking: ♪ = 1049:205Into the Ferment: The Storm1:436Into the Ferment: Here are we met, three merry boys2:267Into the Ferment: In dispraise of whisky1:568Into the Ferment: We are na’ fou!3:039Into the Ferment: It is the moon, I ken her horn2:5710Into the Ferment: Three merry boys again (sometime later)2:2511Into the Ferment: Wha’ first shall rise to gang awa’2:5812Into the Ferment: Man to man… shall brithers be…3:4113Into the Ferment: Finale2:182004 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 1:02:50
1Divo Aloysio Sacrum5:252The Gallant Weaver5:383A Child?s Prayer4:104Seinte Mari Moder Milde5:585Tremunt videntes angeli8:496Cantos Sagrados: I Identity8:227Cantos Sagrados: II Virgin of Guadalupe8:158Cantos Sagrados: III Sun Stone5:309Christus Vincit7:2110So Deep3:22Symphony no. 3 "Silence" / The Confession of Isobel Gowdie
2005 · studio album
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Tracklist · 2 tracks · 1:02:48
1The Confession of Isobel Gowdie24:582Symphony no. 3 "Silence"37:50Seven Last Words from the Cross
2005 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 1:07:47
1Seven Last Words from the Cross: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do5:452Seven Last Words from the Cross: Woman, Behold thy Son! ... Behold, thy Mother!5:073Seven Last Words from the Cross: Verily, I say unto thee, today thou shalt be with me in Paradise8:184Seven Last Words from the Cross: Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?6:285Seven Last Words from the Cross: I thirst5:306Seven Last Words from the Cross: It is finished6:467Seven Last Words from the Cross: Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit8:108On the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin6:419Te Deum15:02MacMillan and His British Contemporaries
2006 · studio album
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Tracklist · 13 tracks · 1:04:08
1O Sing Unto the Lord6:592Christus vincit6:333Ecce beatam lucem5:584Libera nos3:425On the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin6:496Into Thy Hands5:317Love Bade Me Welcome4:168Since I Believe4:399A Prayer for St. Augustine4:0810Surrexit Christus2:5411Jesu, dulcis memoria5:1912Whitsun Carol, op. 115b2:2913Salve Regina4:51Mendelssohn / MacMillan / Mozart
2006 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 56:37
1Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E minor, op. 64: I. Allegro molto appassionato13:022Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E minor, op. 64: II. Andante8:363Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E minor, op. 64: III. Allegretto non troppo - Allegro molto vivace6:044Adagio for Violin and Orchestra in E major, K. 2616:475Rondo for Violin and Orchestra in C major, K. 3735:336Serenade (Leise flehen meine Lieder, D957)4:147Ave Maria, D8395:118From Ayrshire5:339From Ayrshire1:37A Scotch Bestiary, Piano Concerto No. 2
2006 · studio album
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Tracklist · 17 tracks · 1:03:34
1The Book Is Opened.1:282Ode To A Cro-Magnon Hyena.2:333A Page Is Turned.0:424Reptiles A Big Fish (In A Small Pond)1:575Her Serene And Ubiquitous Majesty, Queem Bee. Senza Misura.2:106Another Page Is Turned.0:577The Red Handed, No-Surrender, Howler Monkey.1:368Uncle Tom Cat And His Chickens.2:009Yet Another Page Is Turned.0:4110Scottish Patriots.2:1111The Reverend Cuckoo And His Parroting Chorus.1:3412Jackass Hackass.1:4113The Book Is Closed.1:2914The Menagerie, Uncaged12:3915Piano Concerto No. 2: I. Cumnock Fair12:0816Piano Concerto No. 2: II. Shambard7:5917Piano Concerto No. 2: III. Shamnation9:492007 · studio album
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Tracklist · 16 tracks · 1:10:23
1Strathclyde Motets: Mitte manum tuam3:062Strathclyde Motets: In splendoribus sanctorum8:113Introit "Give Me Justice"2:484Missa Brevis: Kyrie2:505Missa Brevis: Gloria4:176Missa Brevis: Sanctus3:037Missa Brevis: Agnus Dei2:428Missa Brevis: At the Conclusion1:419Strathclyde Motets: Data est mihi4:2610Strathclyde Motets: Sedebit Dominus Rex4:4011Strathclyde Motets: Factus est repente2:4612Strathclyde Motets: Videns Dominus5:3613Strathclyde Motets: Dominus dabit benignitatem4:5514Tenebrae Responsories: I. Tenebrae factae sunt5:5515Tenebrae Responsories: II. Tradiderunt me5:1216Tenebrae Responsories: III. Jesum Tradidit8:15The World's Ransoming / Confessions of Isobel Gowdie
2008 · studio album
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Tracklist · 2 tracks · 48:07
1The World’s Ransoming22:152The Confession of Isobel Gowdie25:52Quickening; Three Interludes from 'The Sacrifice'
2009 · studio album
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Tracklist · 7 tracks · 59:30
1Three Interludes from 'The Sacrifice' - Nr. 1 The Parting4:372Three Interludes from 'The Sacrifice' - Nr. 2 Passacaglia4:253Three Interludes from 'The Sacrifice' - Nr. 3 The Investiture5:114Quickening - 1. Satz: Incarnadine14:255Quickening - 2. Satz: Midwife10:186Quickening - 3. Satz: Poppies9:167Quickening - 4. Satz: Living Water11:18Visitatio Sepulchri / Sun-Dogs
2010 · studio album
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Tracklist · 8 tracks · 1:05:34
1Sun-Dogs: I. 'I first saw them'4:592Sun-Dogs: II. 'Domini canes'1:543Sun-Dogs: III. 'I saw them leading'2:354Sun-Dogs: IV. 'Sometimes, like Tobias'7:185Sun-Dogs: V. 'If you turn down the offerings'3:556Visitatio Sepulchri: Scene 17:537Visitatio Sepulchri: Scene 215:288Visitatio Sepulchri: Scene 321:322011 · studio album
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Tracklist · 19 tracks
1And lo, the Angel of the Lord2Qui meditabitur (from Strathclyde Motets II)3O Radiant Dawn (from Strathclyde Motets II)4Lux aeterna (from Strathclyde Motets II)5Os mutorum (from Strathclyde Motets II)6Bring us, O Lord7Canticle of Zachariah (from Strathclyde Motets II)8Benedictus Deus9Advent Antiphon10Pascha nostrum immolatus est (from Strathclyde Motets II)11Who are these Angels?12Think of how God loves you13Benedicimus Deum caeli (from Strathclyde Motets II)14Mass of Blessed John Henry Newman: Kyrie15Mass of Blessed John Henry Newman: Gloria16Mass of Blessed John Henry Newman: Sanctus17Mass of Blessed John Henry Newman: Acclamation18Mass of Blessed John Henry Newman: Agnus Dei19Tota pulchra es2011 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 1:18:43
1Jubilate Deo3:262Serenity5:143Magnificat & Nunc dimittis: I. Magnificat13:144Magnificat & Nunc dimittis: II. Nunc dimittis8:045Tremunt videntes Angeli8:476On Love5:177… Here in Hiding …11:528Give Me Justice3:219The Lamb Has Come for Us from the House of David4:3510Le tombeau de Georges Rouault14:532011 · studio album
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Tracklist · 13 tracks · 1:19:37
1Miserere12:342Strathclyde Motets: Data est mihi omnis potestas3:483Strathclyde Motets: Dominus dabit benignitatem4:344Strathclyde Motets: Factus est repente2:375Strathclyde Motets: O Radiant Dawn3:236O Bone Jesu10:157Strathclyde Motets: Videns Dominus5:098Strathclyde Motets: Lux aeterna3:479Strathclyde Motets: In splendoribus sanctorum11:1010Strathclyde Motets: Benedicimus Deum caeli2:2911Tenebrae Responsories: I. Tenebrae factae sunt6:0712Tenebrae Responsories: II. Tradiderunt me5:3613Tenebrae Responsories: III. Jesum tradidit impius8:08Veni, Veni, Emmanuel: MacMillan Series, Volume 1
2012 · studio album
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Tracklist · 3 tracks · 1:10:27
1A Deep but Dazzling Darkness23:502Í (A Meditation on Iona)16:253Veni, Veni, Emmanuel30:122013 · studio album
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Tracklist · 14 tracks · 1:12:57
1Tu es Petrus4:122Dignus est Agnus4:053Tenebrae Responsories: Tenebrae factae sunt6:434Tenebrae Responsories: Tradiderunt me6:045Tenebrae Responsories: Jesum tradidit impius7:586Summae Trinitati4:547Benedictus Deus5:288Ave maris stella4:279Tota pulchra es4:3210After Virtue4:5911Serenity4:4712The Edinburgh Te Deum9:1713Ecce sacerdos magnus3:2814Processional on Tu es Petrus2:03Since It Was the Day of Preparation
2016 · studio album
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Tracklist · 14 tracks · 1:12:03
1Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part I: Introduction3:082Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part I: The Pierced Christ3:203Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part I: Interlude2:364Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part I: The Burial3:045Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part I: Interlude4:186Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part II: The Empty Tomb2:437Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part II: Interlude4:078Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part II: The Appearance to Mary of Magdala7:079Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part II: Interlude3:1110Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part II: The Appearances to the Disciples7:4411Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part II: Interlude4:0812Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part III: The Appearance on the Shore of Tiberias17:0813Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part III: Interlude4:1014Since it was the Day of Preparation: Part III: Conclusion & Postlude5:192016 · studio album
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Tracklist · 14 tracks · 48:48
1Hirta2:092Soay2:043Boreray2:524Dùn3:335Stac an Armin3:386Stac Lee3:007Levenish4:128Stac Dona3:099Soay3:5010Stac Lee – Dawn5:1611Stac Lee – Dusk4:0612Stac Dona4:0413Dùn4:3314Hirta2:222017 · studio album
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Tracklist · 5 tracks · 59:44
1Plainsong "Stabat mater"4:562Stabat mater: Stabat mater dolorosa14:483Stabat mater: Quis non posset contristari13:134Stabat mater: Sancta mater, istud agas11:325Stabat mater: Fac, ut portem Christi mortem15:152018 · studio album
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Tracklist · 6 tracks · 1:10:59
1Visions of a November Spring, “String Quartet no. 1”: ♩ = 603:542Visions of a November Spring, “String Quartet no. 1”: ♪ = c9017:143Why Is This Night Different?, “String Quartet no. 2”22:334String Quartet no. 3: ♩ = c66-69, molto rubato11:475String Quartet no. 3: Largo8:026String Quartet no. 3: Patiently and Painfully Slow7:292019 · studio album
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Tracklist · 11 tracks · 1:04:16
1Blow the Trumpet in the New Moon5:522Children are a Heritage of the Lord4:363Miserere11:564Domine non secundum peccata nostra10:015One Equal Music5:576To my Successor3:277When You See the Millions of the Mouthless Dead3:518Lassie, Wad ye Loe Me?4:519Domus infelix est4:2710Ave maris stella4:4911Cecilia virgo4:29Symphony no. 5 "Le Grand Inconnu" / The Sun Danced
2020 · studio album
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Tracklist · 4 tracks · 1:18:51
1The Sun Danced28:532Symphony no. 5 "Le Grand Inconnu": I. Ruah17:383Symphony no. 5 "Le Grand Inconnu": II. Zao18:154Symphony no. 5 "Le Grand Inconnu": III. Igne vel igne14:05Symphony no. 4 / Viola Concerto
2020 · studio album
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Tracklist · 4 tracks · 1:12:26
1Symphony no. 440:162Viola Concerto: ♩ = c6910:443Viola Concerto: ♪ = c72-769:384Viola Concerto: Allegro: ♩ = c126-13211:482021 · studio album
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Tracklist · 18 tracks · 1:20:48
1The Culham Motets: I. Lift High the Ancient Portals5:212The Culham Motets: II. I Saw Water Flowing8:493The Culham Motets: III. See the Place Where God Lives10:094The Culham Motets: IV. From the Hand of the Angel4:325The Culham Motets: V. Your Light Will Come, Jerusalem4:156Beatus Andreas5:367Wedding Song4:178Behold, You Are Beautiful, My Love5:059Until the Day Breathes3:0510Kenga e Krushqve4:3611Lux aeterna3:1112A Special Appeal7:0213St Anne’s Mass: I. Kyrie0:5214St Anne’s Mass: II. Gloria2:3015St Anne’s Mass: III. Sanctus1:4416The Lord’s Prayer1:5817St Anne’s Mass: IV. Agnus Dei1:2518Sing Joyfully to the Lord6:212023 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 1:18:48
1Great Is the Lord, op. 6710:142The Wilderness13:443Give Unto the Lord, op. 748:214The House of the Mind9:215Come Out, Lazar6:526Viri Galilaei7:197O Give Thanks Unto the Lord6:338Toccata10:439Everyone Sang5:41Three British Accordion Concertos
2026 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 57:53
1Concerto for chromatic accordion, percussion and string orchestra: I. Adagio – Allegretto6:142Concerto for chromatic accordion, percussion and string orchestra: II. Intermezzo. Quasi menuetto2:453Concerto for chromatic accordion, percussion and string orchestra: III. Largo1:484Concerto for chromatic accordion, percussion and string orchestra: IV. Allegro moderato3:555Accordion Concerto: I. Moderato marcato8:376Accordion Concerto: II. Andante cantabile6:397Accordion Concerto: III. Vivo con bravura4:028Northern Lights: I. Very Spacious7:349Northern Lights: II. Very Spacious7:3010Northern Lights: III. Musing8:49
Album · 4
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | St. John PassionSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks · 1:30:13Disc 1 1St. John Passion: Part I. No. 1. The arrest of Jesus10:20 2St. John Passion: Part I. No. 2. Jesus before Annas and Caiphas. Peter disowns him12:11 3St. John Passion: Part I. No. 3. Jesus before Pilate24:42 4St. John Passion: Part I. No. 4. Jesus is condemned to death6:58 Disc 21St. John Passion: Part II. No. 5. The Crucifixion5:36 2St. John Passion: Part II. No. 6. Christ's garments divided4:10 3St. John Passion: Part II. No. 7. Jesus and his Mother6:28 4St. John Passion: Part II. No. 8. The Reproaches6:27 5St. John Passion: Part II. No. 9. The death of Jesus3:03 6St. John Passion: Part II. No. 10. Sanctus Immortalis, miserere nobis10:18 | Live | 2 February 2009 | |
| 2015 | St Luke PassionSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 4 tracks · 1:13:021St Luke Passion: Prelude8:28 2St Luke Passion: Chapter 2232:45 3St Luke Passion: Chapter 2325:31 4St Luke Passion: Postlude6:18 | Live | 2015 | |
| 2021 | Brahms: Symphony no. 4 / MacMillan: Larghetto for OrchestraSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 5 tracks · 54:001Symphony no. 4: I. Allegro non troppo12:38 2Symphony no. 4: II. Andante moderato11:06 3Symphony no. 4: III. Allegro giocoso5:54 4Symphony no. 4: IV. Allegro energico e passionato9:26 5Larghetto for Orchestra14:56 | Live | 15 October 2021 | |
| 2022 | Christmas OratorioSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 14 tracks · 1:34:111Christmas Oratorio: Sinfonia 14:17 2Christmas Oratorio: Chorus 16:58 3Christmas Oratorio: Aria 15:35 4Christmas Oratorio: Tableau 112:28 5Christmas Oratorio: Aria 26:09 6Christmas Oratorio: Chorus 25:09 7Christmas Oratorio: Sinfonia 24:13 8Christmas Oratorio: Sinfonia 34:11 9Christmas Oratorio: Chorus 35:14 10Christmas Oratorio: Aria 37:19 11Christmas Oratorio: Tableau 211:59 12Christmas Oratorio: Aria 48:45 13Christmas Oratorio: Chorus 45:57 14Christmas Oratorio: Sinfonia 45:57 | Live | 16 December 2022 |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put James MacMillan head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 20 | 81.1th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 42 | 93.1th |
| Studio albums | 38 | 98.8th |
| Awards recorded | 7 | 98.2th |
| Timeline events | 45 | 98.5th |
| Recording span (years) | 34 | 72.8th |
| Genres | 7 | 93th |
Awards & honours
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | honorary doctorate | won | |
| 2006 | Classic Brit Awards | won | |
| 2008 | Royal Philharmonic Society Award (Opera and Music Theatre) | won | |
| 2011 | honorary doctor of the Royal College of Music | won | |
| 2026 | Order of the Thistle | won | |
| — | Commander of the Order of the British Empire | won | |
| — | Knight Bachelor | won |
Where this record comes from
portrait—Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 3.0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:James_MacMillan_at_Meet_the_Composers_2012%2C_headshot.jpgaliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/11720cff-63ef-4eda-9e2f-f40c80e13e2ddiscography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/11720cff-63ef-4eda-9e2f-f40c80e13e2dcore—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q714541genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q714541seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_MacMillanbiography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_MacMillan
Why this artist is in the database
- List of composers by name
- List of Scottish musicians
Tier rule: curated genre/region list
Image: CTV Santa Cruz County · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q714541 · MusicBrainz: 11720cff-63ef-4eda-9e2f-f40c80e13e2d
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