The Berserking

Composer and Composition: James Macmillan (1990)

Inspired by the ritual of ancient Viking and Celtic warriors who hyped themselves up in preparation for battle.  

Sir James captures that ‘berserking’ energy after having watched a contemporary professional soccer match in Scotland.

A consideration of how human energy might be both directed and misdirected in a spirit of play.  

An analogy between sport, music, and the sacred.