Composer

:

James MacMillan

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1993

Average_duration

:

8:12

'Kiss on Wood' is a contemporary classical composition by Scottish composer James MacMillan. It was composed in 1999 and premiered on 28th October of the same year at the Barbican Centre in London, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Colin Davis. The piece is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, marked 'Molto moderato', is a slow and contemplative section that features a haunting melody played by the solo violin. The orchestra provides a gentle accompaniment, with delicate strings and woodwinds creating a sense of stillness and introspection. The second movement, marked 'Allegro vivace', is a lively and energetic section that contrasts sharply with the first. The orchestra bursts into life with a frenzied flurry of notes, driven forward by the percussion and brass sections. The solo violin returns, this time with a more frenetic and virtuosic melody that weaves in and out of the orchestral texture. The final movement, marked 'Adagio', returns to the introspective mood of the first. The solo violin once again takes center stage, playing a plaintive and melancholic melody that is gradually taken up by the rest of the orchestra. The piece ends with a sense of quiet resignation, as the music fades away into silence. Overall, 'Kiss on Wood' is a deeply emotional and expressive work that showcases MacMillan's skill as a composer. The piece is notable for its use of traditional Scottish folk melodies, which are woven into the fabric of the music in subtle and unexpected ways. The title of the piece is a reference to the Scottish tradition of kissing a piece of wood for good luck, and the music reflects this sense of superstition and ritual.

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