A magical and demanding choral performance captivated a large audience at London's Barbican Hall, as Sir James MacMillan conducted a powerful rendition of his own Christmas Oratorio. The composer led the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, alongside soloists Roderick Williams and Rhian Lois, in a fiercely committed presentation of his 21st-century take on the festive story, first premiered in 2021.
A Modern Oratorio Diverges from Tradition
While many contemporary composers avoid grand classical forms, James MacMillan embraces them. His substantial body of work includes symphonies, concertos, and two passions. His Christmas Oratorio, however, is no homage to J.S. Bach's iconic 1734 version. Instead, MacMillan's piece speaks a multitude of musical languages, deliberately excluding Bach's stylistic hallmarks.
The work is a fascinating journey through contrasting soundscapes. It moves from delicately scored chamber passages to thunderous climaxes for full choir and orchestra. The music shifts from percussive, modernist textures to smoother, almost tonal sections reminiscent of Benjamin Britten, and from pastiche Renaissance polyphony to surges worthy of a Hollywood film score.
Vocal Excellence Drives the Performance
The BBC Symphony Chorus, under MacMillan's baton, delivered a performance that grew in confidence. They were at their most atmospheric in the unaccompanied and quieter sections, where their excellent diction and silky blend shone through. A particularly magical moment was the upper voices' slow unfolding of "O magnum mysterium", floating ethereally over subtle woodwind passagework and the periodic throb of muted brass.
The vocal soloists were perfectly matched. Roderick Williams brought his warm, malleable baritone, while Rhian Lois offered a harder, luminous soprano that gilded the large-scale ensembles. Williams' peerless storytelling ability made his second aria a standout highlight, his declamatory style acting as a stentorian recitative amidst flutter-tongued flute and dabs of muted trumpet.
Orchestral Colour and a Sudden Finale
The BBC Symphony Orchestra provided numerous moments of fleeting beauty and irresistible momentum. The score featured a chiming harp, icy string tremolos, and orchestral chords balanced to uncannily mimic a pipe organ. One flash of music evoked Shostakovich played at double speed, driven by an off-beat high-hat.
Despite these pleasures, the oratorio's structure remains unconventional, with an ending that feels peculiarly abrupt. Nevertheless, the ferociously committed performance from all forces on stage left the Barbican audience roaring with approval, celebrating a bold and distinctive new addition to the Christmas music repertoire.
