Byzantia: Music Of John Tavener

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
John Tavener gained large-scale renown when The Protecting Veil for cello and orchestra was featured at the 1989 BBC Proms; his music (if not his name) was heard by millions in 1997 when Song for Athene was sung at Princess Diana's funeral. This compilation from Virgin Classics makes an excellent introduction to the composer's work. Tavener is often lumped together with Arvo Pärt as "Holy Minimalists," but they're quite different: while Pärt's music is usually reflective and austere, Tavener's is often cheerful and joyous--occasionally almost giddy (as in the "Christmas Proclamation" God Is with Us). He often borrows features of Eastern Orthodox liturgical music, such as the ison (low drone), quarter-tone intervals and ornaments of Greek chant or the tightly wound dissonance of early Russian polyphony. (The thrilling Angels for chorus and organ has all of these.) Examples of Tavener's instrumental music include the rhapsodic first movement of The Protecting Veil and excerpts from the radiantly still string quartets The Hidden Treasure (which does sound a lot like Pärt's Fratres) and The Last Sleep of the Virgin (which uses handbells to mesmerizing effect); the most memorable pieces, though, are the wondrously simple The Lamb and Funeral Ikos for unaccompanied choir. --Matthew Westphal

Tracks:

The Protecting Veil - First Movement
God Is With Us - A Christmas Proclamation
The Lamb
The Hidden Treasure - excerpt
Funeral Ikos
Annunciation
The Last Sleep Of The Virgin - excerpt
Angels
Song For Athene

Amazon.com essential recording

John Tavener gained large-scale renown when The Protecting Veil for cello and orchestra was featured at the 1989 BBC Proms; his music (if not his name) was heard by millions in 1997 when Song for Athene was sung at Princess Diana's funeral. This compilation from Virgin Classics makes an excellent introduction to the composer's work. Tavener is often lumped together with Arvo Pärt as "Holy Minimalists," but they're quite different: while Pärt's music is usually reflective and austere, Tavener's is often cheerful and joyous--occasionally almost giddy (as in the "Christmas Proclamation" God Is with Us). He often borrows features of Eastern Orthodox liturgical music, such as the ison (low drone), quarter-tone intervals and ornaments of Greek chant or the tightly wound dissonance of early Russian polyphony. (The thrilling Angels for chorus and organ has all of these.) Examples of Tavener's instrumental music include the rhapsodic first movement of The Protecting Veil and excerpts from the radiantly still string quartets The Hidden Treasure (which does sound a lot like Pärt's Fratres) and The Last Sleep of the Virgin (which uses handbells to mesmerizing effect); the most memorable pieces, though, are the wondrously simple The Lamb and Funeral Ikos for unaccompanied choir. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

I love this CD!.......2002-03-21

I've waited for 2 months for this CD----it's worth the wait! Song for Athene, played @ Princess Diana's funeral is absolutely exquisite! The entire CD is beautiful------it's like a religious experience!

Lost Paradise.......2000-09-08

This CD is enjoyable. The pieces are slow and deliberate, however, they are encouraging rather than sombre. Since I am obligated to write what I think of this CD, I must admit that it is enjoyable but not rewarding for me. I do think that many people will like this CD based on the popularity of John Tavener. An attestation of his mass appeal is that SONG FOR ATHENE was performed at the funeral of Princess Diana. I think that it is worth considering that Elton John also penned a song for that same occasion. Regardless of my opinion, this is still a nice collection of Tavener's music. It is well performed, and provides some space for reflection. If you are interested in encouraging music in a sacred tradition, this CD will be interesting to you.

Excellent, introspective, spiritual and marvelous blend of v.......1999-07-17

I received this disc by mail today and have just finished listening to the entire disc. There was a similarity in the pieces, most pronounced by the use of the pedal board of the pipe organ in a sostenuto. This was repeated in at least two of the predominantly a capella choral pieces, with basses as drones, similar to a bagpipe, but more remarkable because these were human voices. John Tavener is one of the pre-eminent contemporary composers of sacred music which can speak to even the most secular of audience. I especially appreciate his mastery of the timelessness of the musical praise of God. He has connected the Byzantine with today, bridging the gulf of time between "the then" and "the now". This is a very wonderful example of the timelessness of fine music crafted with the cerebrum ans performed with the heart. Willa E. Hayes WEHinTVC@aol.com

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