Magnificat | Nunc dimittis music by James MacMillan, 1959–

text from 1962 Book of Common Prayer

Magnificat was composed in 1999. The orchestral version was commissioned by the BBC for the first choral evensong of the new millennium on January 5, 2000, and first performed in Wells Cathedral by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra with the choirs of Wells Cathedral and St. John’s College, Cambridge, conducted by the composer.

Nunc dimittis was composed in 2000 and commissioned, along with the organ version of Magnificat, by Winchester Cathedral and first performed on St. Swithun’s Day, July 15, 2000.

From the composer

The choral writing in Magnificat is simple and homophonic, each phrase punctuated by an introspective instrumental echo. The music gradually builds to a joyous climax in the doxology.

The Nunc dimittis is based on similar material. Some of the organ interjections are audibly recognizable from the Magnificat, but the vocal lines have been modally altered. The principal feature of this movement is an unusual unison melody involving treble, alto and tenor voices, with the sesquialtera stop. Some of the climactic music from the Magnificat is recalled for the final Amen. The work opens and closes with quiet ethereal low notes on the organ and in the basses.