Here in hiding

MacMillan’s most ambitious vocal work explores medieval themes, both musically and poetically. St Thomas Aquinas’s text is set both in Latin and in the English translation, and the plainsong chant is at the heart of the musical development. The work embraces a wide emotional range from meditative calm to penitential anguish. Originally composed for the solo voices of The Hilliard Ensemble it can also be performed by ATTB choral forces. A solo tenor cadenza occurs some two thirds of the way through the work, followed by warmly expressive music and a fade-out which is highly effective.