John Tavener: The Hidden Face

Track Listings

1. Hidden Face

2. Sanctus & Benedictus

3. In Nomine I

4. In Nomine II

5. In Nomine

6. Apokatastasis

7. Nopson

8. An Evening Hymn

Tracks:

Hidden Face
Sanctus & Benedictus
In Nomine I
In Nomine II
In Nomine
Apokatastasis
Nopson
An Evening Hymn

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-01-07

So many good things on this CD I hardly know where to begin, but I'll start by saying that every selection on it is like a divine revelation! The music is exotic as one would expect from Tavener who preceded this music by the "Fall and Resurrection" from which he extracted the theme for "The Hidden Face". And a hypnotic melody it is!"The Hidden Face" is a prayer, for solo countertenor,oboe, and a distant group of muted violins and viols. It deals with the Eastern Orthodox concept of prayer.The disc also includes two other selections involving the countertenor voice with viols:"Apokatastasis" also features Tibetan bowls;the word means:a spititual state of ecstasy. "Nipson" is the title of the second selection and refers to "cleansing the sins." But let's mention the skill it takes for the singer to sing these Tavener tunes. It has to be someone like Michael Chance to handle them for he does bear the brunt of the work on this album. And the closing arrangement of Purcell's "An Evening Hymn" is a refreshing contrast to what comes before. I've had this CD for quite a while and I never get tired of hearing it. Buy and enjoy!!!!

An Exhilarative New Experiment.......2005-06-18

I agree completely rewiew bellow..A kind of inscrutable,abstract beauty comes from of this music and its performers' very good job (and a lot of high notes to Chance on "Apokatástasis").Even to Tavener's fans,this is a fresh,exhilarative experiment.

Strange and wonderful.......2005-05-26

This is an incredibly special album; it changed the way I think about classical music. The first track, written for viola da gamba, oboe, and countertenor, is gentle and heartwrenching. Tavener's beatiful, sustained accompaniment in the strings perfectly compliments the high duet between the oboe and the voice. The album continues from there with more beautiful tracks, including more of Tavener's otherwordly compositions. I highly recommend it for any fan of Tavener, or of spiritual music, or anyone who is up for a new musical experience.

Track Listings: