MacMillan, James: Four Little Tributes

Album comprising short pieces, each written in honour of a living composer. Three are scored for piano quintet, the other for piano quartet. For Michael (piano quintet) was composed in 2004 to mark Michael Berkeley’s departure as Artistic Director of the Cheltenham International Festival of Music. For Max (piano quintet) dates from the same year and was written to celebrate the birthday of Peter Maxwell Davies. For Sally (piano quintet, 2006) is dedicated to MacMillan’s friend Sally Beamish. Chant for John (piano quartet, 2007) was performed at a concert to mark the retirement of John Casken as Professor Music at Manchester University. Duration from two to four minutes each.