Sir James on O Come O Come Emmanuel

Composer and Composition: Plainchant (ca. 8-9th century)

MacMillan remembers how this particular melody makes him “shake with excitement” because of its close proximity to Christmas.  This chant also became the inspiration for his 1992 percussion concerto, a composition that expresses the theological core of Christmastide, Christ’s birth.

Performed by: Neumes and Tunes; in Latin and English