Aural Iconography: A Pärtian Study of James MacMillan

Abstract

Our understanding and appreciation of Pärt’s music has benefited much from viewing it through the lens of Orthodox iconography, which was first argued by Paul Hillier, the Pärt scholar and conductor. I hope to explore this connection and ask whether there are ways in which a Pärtian, iconographic framework might be applied to and benefit our understanding of MacMillan’s work as well. I believe such an application can be made, and to elucidate that I will first briefly discuss Pärt and MacMillan’s contexts and characteristics. Then, I will give an account of iconography, and examine how it applies to Pärt. Finally, I will turn to MacMillan and consider such a Pärtian iconographic framework for his music.