MacMillan, James - What man is he that feareth the Lord (SSAATTBB a cappella)
for mixed voices (SSAATTBB) a cappella
Text: English (Psalms 26 & 112)
Duration: c6 minutes
Difficulty: 4/5
This work was composed in 2020 and was commissioned by the Lord Burghley 500 Foundation for a Service of Thanksgiving in Westminster Abbey to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of William Cecil, Lord Burghley. The text reflects on the themes of godly living, wisdom and a life of righteousness; the work is therefore suitable for a wide variety of uses, both general and across the church’s year.
Text
What man is he that feareth the Lord: him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
His soul shall dwell at ease: and his seed shall inherit the land. (Psalm 25: 11–12)
Blessèd is the man that feareth the Lord: he hath great delight in his commandments.
His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the faithful shall be blessed.
Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness: he is merciful, loving, and righteous.
A good man is merciful, and lendeth: and will guide his words with discretion.
For he shall never be moved: and the righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance. (Psalm 112: 1–6)
James MacMillan
Born in Scotland in 1959, James MacMillan studied at Edinburgh and Durham Universities and now lives in Largs. His early successes as a composer in the 1990s includedThe Confession of Isobel Gowdie, premiered at the BBC Proms, and the percussion concerto Veni, Veni, Emmanuel written for Evelyn Glennie. MacMillan has a special interest in choral composition, ranging from simple liturgical settings for use in church services, to major works for choir and orchestra including Seven Last Words from the Cross, Quickening and St John Passion. His music has been championed and recorded by leading choirs and vocal groups including Cappella Nova, Polyphony, The Hilliard Ensemble, The Sixteen, Westminster Cathedral Choir and the Netherlands Chamber Choir. With their Gaelic inflections and characteristic mixing of ancient and modern, his works have also proved popular with amateur chamber choirs around the world.