‘Large-scale choral works by James MacMillan, such as his early Seven Last Words from the Cross or the more recent Stabat mater, have received plenty of critical attention in the past, so it’s good at last to see a disc featuring the composer’s shorter, a cappella pieces … MacMillan’s strength lies in his ability to fuse sacred polyphonic, secular popular, folk and modernist elements into a musical language that remains distinct and immediately identifiable … this is an impressive recording overall’ (Gramophone)

‘This is an excellent introduction to the choral compositions of Sir James MacMillan, covering as it does selections from both his sacred and secular output. While I am happy to recommend this as an introduction for listeners who have yet to make the musical acquaintance of the leading Scottish composer of his generation (he was born in 1959) I am sure there will be plenty to interest those already familiar with his works’ (Cross Rhythms)

‘Throughout this recording, The Elysian Singers under Sam Laughton are excellent, rising to every challenge that James MacMillan poses and coming out shining. They set a very high standard in their earlier recording of his music, but here they surpass it. The acoustic is very good indeed and this helps the Elysian’s perfect diction come through clear and bright, while the beautiful sound of Alexandra Caldon’s violin is perfectly balanced so that it does not detract from the vocal line and is never itself overpowered. The brief introductions to the music in the booklet are very good; full texts are given in English and, where applicable, Latin. This is a very fine disc and a must for any follower of the music of James MacMillan’ (MusicWeb International)