James MacMillan

Seraph

A seraph is a celestial being or angel, usually and traditionally associated with trumpets. MacMillan's Seraph is a concertino for trumpet and strings, in three short, contrasting movements, and a welcome addition to the instrument's concerto repertoire, following the same composer's Epiclesis (1993). Seraph is dedicated to Alison Balsom, who first performed the work in 2011 at Wigmore Hall, London, with the Scottish Ensemble. A recording of this performance is available on EMI Classics (50999 6 78590 2 3). Although challenging to play, the work does not use extended techniques; it is therefore suitable for advanced standard students and professional soloists alike. In programming terms the work provides the perfect foil to string orchestra pieces from the baroque and classical periods.