"spellbinding...supremely musical"

The Tavener Collection

Decca 4750962 - 2003
Released November 2003		 buy now

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Holst Singers, The Choir of the Temple Church, The English Chamber Orchestra

The John Tavener Collection is a tribute to one of the most influential contemporary British composers.

Sir John Tavener is renowned for his serenely beautiful music of spiritual contemplation, inspired by music of the Orthodox Church which he joined in 1977. After his conversion to the Orthodox religion, he formulated a unique new idiom, often employing a slow, almost minimalist unfolding of melodic material, sublime, mystical and very accessible. Tavener's music has proved enormously popular on disc and this new collection is designed as the 'must have' Tavener recording.

The collection features new recordings of his most popular choral works including Song For Athene (notably performed at the funeral of Diana, Princess Of Wales) and The Lamb.

Tracks on this album

  • Open track list
    1. Song for Athene
      - The Choir of the Temple Church, The Holst Singers, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
    2. Today the Virgin
      - The Choir of the Temple Church, Stephen Layton
    3. The Tyger
      - The Choir of the Temple Church, The Holst Singers, Stephen Layton
    4. The Lamb
      - The Choir of the Temple Church, Stephen Layton
    5. The Dormition of the Mother of God
      - Natalie Clein, English Chamber Orchestra, Stephen Layton
    6. The Protecting Veil
      - Natalie Clein, English Chamber Orchestra, Stephen Layton
    7. A Hymn to the Mother of God
      - The Choir of the Temple Church, The Holst Singers, Stephen Layton
    8. What God is we do not know
      - The Holst Singers, Stephen Layton
    9. Funeral Ikos
      - The Choir of the Temple Church, The Holst Singers, Stephen Layton
    10. Threnos
      - Natalie Clein
    11. God is with us (A Christmas Proclamation)
      - Andrew Rupp, The Choir of the Temple Church, The Holst Singers, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
    12. A Christmas Round
      - The Choir of the Temple Church, Stephen Layton
    13. Elizabeth full of grace
      - The Choir of the Temple Church, The Holst Singers, English Chamber Orchestra, Robert Millett, James Vivian, Stephen Layton

Reviews of this recording:

 
 
This CD ranks as the best introduction to John Tavener that's currently on record.
HMV
 
 
 
Sublime, mystical and very accessible.
HMV
 
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