Queen's funeral composer: I had to keep my work a secret

Image source, POOL
By Sean CoughlanRoyal Correspondent
When a mo rt of music premiered in nt of a global audience at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, there was one viewer who, surprisingly, had never heard it sung before - its composer, Sir James MacMillan.

His wife had recently broken her foot - and although Sir James had been invited to Westminster Abbey for the funeral, he had remained at his home in Scotland for the 'help.
Sir James had not even heard a rehearsal of the play, which he had written in secret, and until the day before the funeral , he wasn't quite sure it would be performed.
So the first time he heard his choral piece was when it was sung in front of royals and world leaders crammed into the abbey.
"I watched with my wife on television", to d the 63-year-old told BBC News. "It was really a pinch moment for me." He remained "amazed" and very proud to have been part of such a historic moment.

Entertainment Dec 3, 2022 0 70 Add to Reading List

Queen's funeral composer: I had to keep my work a secret

By Sean CoughlanRoyal Correspondent

When a mo rt of music premiered in nt of a global audience at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, there was one viewer who, surprisingly, had never heard it sung before - its composer, Sir James MacMillan.

His wife had recently broken her foot - and although Sir James had been invited to Westminster Abbey for the funeral, he had remained at his home in Scotland for the 'help.

Sir James had not even heard a rehearsal of the play, which he had written in secret, and until the day before the funeral , he wasn't quite sure it would be performed.

So the first time he heard his choral piece was when it was sung in front of royals and world leaders crammed into the abbey.

"I watched with my wife on television", to d the 63-year-old told BBC News. "It was really a pinch moment for me." He remained "amazed" and very proud to have been part of such a historic moment.