Sir J. MacMillan. Autograph manuscript draft of the song "Rorate Coeli", 2021

Sold in aid of the University of York Music Press (UYMP)

Sir James MacMillan (b.1959)

Autograph draft for the song Rorate Coeli, signed ("James MacMillan"), for voice and piano 

A COMPOSING MANUSCRIPT OF THE COMPLETE SONG, notated in black ink on four systems, mostly of three-staves, per page, signed and inscribed at the end (" James MacMillan 2021, Ayrshire, Scotland"), with a few deletions 

2 pages, large folio (42 x 29.8cm), 16-stave paper, Ayrshire, 2021; with a separate one-page autograph note, signed, referring to the work, dated 8 October 2022

James MacMillan is one of today's most successful composers, as well as being a conductor of international note. His works embrace many influences, including from his Scottish heritage and Catholic faith, being suffused also with elements of Far Eastern, Scandinavian and Eastern European music. The song Rorate Coeli, intended as part of the Scottish Songbook project at the University of St. Andrews, is an arrangement of a medieval Scottish carol, written in Latin and English.

Manuscripts by living composers have become rare items, swept aside by technology. Few composers cultivate individual calligraphy when they can access sophisticated music notation on their ipads or computers. This sale of autograph manuscripts, sketches and scores composed in the last twenty years therefore represents a special opportunity.

The manuscripts comprising lots 82-93 are offered for sale by the University of York Music Press (UYMP), a charity that champions contemporary concert composers, with a focus on helping younger composers establish themselves.

The lots in this section encompass music for the concert hall, opera house and film by some of today's best-known composers: Thomas Adès, George Benjamin, James MacMillan, and Debbie Wiseman. Included too are those who continue to write an elegant calligraphy - Robert Saxton, Michael Finnissy, and Judith Weir. Most topical is John Rutter's anthem for Ukraine. Particularly fascinating is a sketch by the late Harrison Birtwistle (his initials at the foot of the manuscript were the last thing he ever wrote).

Altogether, twenty-two composers are represented in the sale, all of whom have donated their manuscripts for the support of UYMP's charitable activity.