Who are these Angels?

"Cappella Nova present illuminating performances which perfectly capture MacMillan's profound sense of the sacred, but here the sense of looking back over the centuries is especially strong...[an] essential addition to the rapidly growing discography of one of Britain's most self-assured musical voices." Editor's Choice Gramophone March 2012

"The group's engagement with the music registers throughout this important release, touching everything from the technical challenges of the second series of Strathclyde motets to the comparably demanding simplicity of MacMillan's papal Mass...The breadth of the composer's ideas and his myriad expressive contrasts, reinforced by superb singing and instrumental contributions and gold-standard recorded sound, hold the ear and invite repeated listening."
(Classic FM)

"Approachable without being apologetic, emotional but with a sense of dignity, the best of these works can both delight and challenge...Everything is performed with elegance and the requisite intensity, and the recordings are clear and atmospheric."
(BBC Music)

Cappella Nova follow on from their "undeniably beautiful" (The Financial Times) Linn debut, 'James MacMillan - Tenebrae', with their second volume of choral works by the leading contemporary composer.

The outstanding Scottish group have a unique relationship with James MacMillan, the composer having written several works for them.

All of the tracks are premiere recordings, recorded under the supervision of the composer. Included is the last of the Strathclyde Motets - seven having been included on 'Tenebrae'.

Also included is the mass James MacMillan wrote specifically for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Scotland in September 2010, sung by over 150,000 people.

Cappella Nova is "famous for its performances of contemporary music" (The Guardian), having commissioned and premiered more than 60 new works since 1986.

Besides appearances in many British festivals, the group has toured many times abroad, including several visits to Europe and the USA.

James MacMillan launched his international career at the BBC Proms in 1990 with the critically acclaimed The Confession of Isobel Gowdie. Since then MacMillan has been awarded a CBE (January 2004) and has created one of the strongest portfolios of contemporary compositions with many award-winning recordings and acclaimed concert performances worldwide.