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The Passion of Mary Magdalene comes to Edinburgh International Festival for its Scottish premiere performed by Dunedin Consort. Composer Tansy Davies shares this playlist as a primer for experiencing the fascinating new work. ⬇️
Playlist curated by Tansy Davies, composer.
Davies's music is championed by ensembles including New York Philharmonic, Ensemble Intercontemporain, and Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and at festivals including Ultima, Présences, Donuaueschinger Musiktage and Warsaw Autumn.
Davies's work constantly crosses boundaries. This playlist blends ancient music with some of her own compositions, bringing the past and the present into conversation.
The playlist spans centuries and features pieces performed by groups such as Idrîsî Ensemble and Ensemble Organum. Davies's own 'futuristic' pieces found within showcase her long-standing interest in the natural world and the spiritual.
The Passion of Mary Magdalene delves into the spiritual, exploring not only the story of the crucifixion but the place of the women in the narrative. 'Can we connect with them, or reconnect with them', asks Davies. Read more about the work in Davies's Q&A with Faber Music.
In March 2026, The Passion of Mary Magdalene, premiered at the Barbican with Dunedin Consort, directed by John Butt. The 85-minute piece, whose three parts play without a break, was commissioned by the Dunedin Consort, Edinburgh International Festival and the Barbican Centre.
Experience Davies's piece for yourself, performed by acclaimed Baroque ensemble Dunedin Consort on Saturday 8 August at The Queen's Hall.
