James MacMillan: Kiss On Wood | Rachel Yonan and Kwan Yi скачать в хорошем качестве

James MacMillan: Kiss On Wood | Rachel Yonan and Kwan Yi

James MacMillan: Kiss On Wood (1993) Arranged by Rachel Yonan (2022) Rachel Kuipers Yonan, viola Kwan Yi, piano “Kiss on Wood is a short, static and serene meditation for violin and piano. Lasting about eight minutes it is an ornamental and highly elongated paraphrase on the Good Friday versicle, Ecce lignum crucis in quo salus mundi pependit: Venite adoremus (Behold the wood of the cross on which the saviour of the world was hung: come let us adore him). This is sung as the crucifix is slowly unveiled and before the people are invited forward to kiss the wood of the cross. The music and title are devotional in intent but can equally represent a gesture of love on the wooden instruments making this music.” -James MacMillan Sir James MacMillan (born 1959) is a Scottish composer and conductor who is internationally recognized as one of today’s leading composers. A prolific writer, his works are inventive and penetrating, whether as large-scale orchestral works or intimate choral pieces. MacMillan’s astute awareness of structure enhances rather than overshadows the affective nature of his compositions which are heavily influenced by his Scottish heritage and Roman Catholic faith. This is certainly true of Kiss on Wood, a piece based on a liturgical text that is simultaneously a concert piece and a contemplative religious expression. While originally for violin and piano, Kiss on Wood lends itself to the plaintive timbre of the viola. It is raw, yet devotional; full of stillness and waiting. The viola pierces the opening silence with two anguished cries each reenforced by sprawling and sustained chords in the piano. This gives way to a more tender lament that integrates the tradition of Scottish keening, a vocal form used as a funeral ritual where women would gather around the deceased to improvise something between a cry and a chant as a final farewell. In Kiss, the viola and piano sound out this keening both in unison and duet before transitioning to the intensely intimate final section. Here, there is stillness and reverence as the instruments hold on to long, sustained notes. MacMillan asks the listener to inhabit this space with him— and not let go. Kiss on Wood Released April 2025 by Sono Luminus Producer & Editing Engineer: Ulrike Schwartz Recording, Mixing, & Mastering Engineer: Daniel Shores Videography: Gritanni Creative LTD Liner Notes: Rachel Yonan Funding by Marinus Ensemble Executive Producer: Collin J. Rae Recorded August 15-17, 2022 at Sono Luminus Studios, Boyce, VA 22602 www.rachelyonan.com #violist #pianist #classicalmusicians #chambermusic #relaxingmusic #kissonwood #contemplativemusic #classicalpiano #musicforprayer #musicheals #musicbringsustogether #contemporarymusic #contemporaryclassicalmusic #newclassicalmusic @rachelyonanviola @kwanyipiano ‪@SonoLuminus‬ ‪@marinusensemble‬ ‪@marinusconcerts‬