Essential Tavener (2014)

‘Essential Tavener’ provides an opportunity to reflect upon Tavener’s unique composing career which featured some surprising and dramatic spiritual and stylistic changes since the early success of his cantata The Whale in 1968. He was best known for his choral masterpieces such as ‘The Lamb’, ‘Funeral Ikos’ and ‘The Veil of the Temple’ – all featured in this collection.

Famously, it was Song for Athene, performed at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, which secured an international reputation for John Tavener. Alongside the original choral version of the work which opens this album, he later arranged the work for Nicola Benedetti and this is presented as the closing track on this album: “Benedetti’s playing matches the intensity of this deeply striking piece as it slowly builds, eventually blending and almost becoming lost in the lush orchestral sound as the music reaches its glowing climax… This is spine-chilling music which listeners will return to often.” BBC Music Magazine on Song for Athene

Essential Tavener includes the CD premiere of Mother of God, here I stand, taken from the 2006 Alfonso Cuarón film ‘Children of Men’ soundtrack. The film starred Clive Owen, Michael Caine and Julianne Moore and was nominated for 3 Oscars.

Artists include Nicola Benedetti, Natalie Clein, Stephen Layton, Andrew Litton, The Choir of the Temple Church, The Holst Singers, London Philharmonic Orchestra and the English Chamber Orchestra.

Composer: John Tavener
Performer: Andrew Rupp, Ian Le Grice, Natalie Clein, Robert Millett, …
Conductor: Stephen Layton, Andrew Litton, Mikel Toms
Orchestra/Ensemble: Holst Singers, Temple Church Choir, English Chamber Orchestra, …

Reviews: “A well-filled Tavener sampler, useful for those who haven't the inclination to brave his more expansive meditations. Accomplished performances, and good sound.”

Tracklisting:

1. God is with us by John Tavener
Performer: Andrew Rupp (Baritone), Ian Le Grice (Organ)
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Orchestra/Ensemble: Holst Singers, Temple Church Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1987; England
Date of Recording: 07/2003
Venue: Temple Church, London, England
Length: 5 Minutes 42 Secs.
Language: English

2. Song for Athene by John Tavener
Performer: Ian Le Grice (Organ)
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Orchestra/Ensemble: Holst Singers, Temple Church Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1993; England
Date of Recording: 07/2003
Venue: Temple Church, London, England
Length: 5 Minutes 33 Secs.
Language: English

3. Funeral Ikos by John Tavener
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Orchestra/Ensemble: Holst Singers, Temple Church Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1981; England
Date of Recording: 07/2003
Venue: Temple Church, London, England
Length: 7 Minutes 44 Secs.
Language: English

4. Hymns (2) to the Mother of God: no 1, Hymn to the Mother of God by John Tavener
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Orchestra/Ensemble: Holst Singers, Temple Church Choir
Period: Contemporary
Written: 1985; United Kingdom
Date of Recording: 07/2003
Venue: Temple Church, London, England
Length: 2 Minutes 19 Secs.
Language: English

5. The Tiger by John Tavener
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Orchestra/Ensemble: Holst Singers, Temple Church Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1987; England
Date of Recording: 07/2003
Venue: Temple Church, London, England
Length: 4 Minutes 39 Secs.
Language: English

6. Thrinos by John Tavener
Performer: Natalie Clein (Cello)
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Orchestra/Ensemble: Temple Church Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1990; England
Date of Recording: 07/2003
Venue: Temple Church, London, England
Length: 5 Minutes 50 Secs.

7. Today the Virgin by John Tavener
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Orchestra/Ensemble: Temple Church Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1989; England
Date of Recording: 07/2003
Venue: Temple Church, London, England
Length: 2 Minutes 40 Secs.
Language: English

8. The Lamb "Little Lamb, who made thee?" by John Tavener
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Orchestra/Ensemble: Temple Church Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1982; England
Date of Recording: 07/2003
Venue: Temple Church, London, England
Length: 3 Minutes 33 Secs.
Language: English

9. A Christmas Round by John Tavener
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Orchestra/Ensemble: Temple Church Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1990; England
Date of Recording: 07/2003
Venue: Temple Church, London, England
Length: 1 Minutes 40 Secs.
Language: English

10. Hymns (2) to the Mother of God: no 2, Hymn for the Dormition of the Mother of God by John Tavener
Performer: Natalie Clein (Cello)
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Chamber Orchestra
Date of Recording: 07/2003
Venue: Temple Church, London, England
Length: 6 Minutes 50 Secs.

11. The Veil of the Temple: What God is we do not know by John Tavener
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Orchestra/Ensemble: Holst Singers
Period: 20th Century
Written: 2002; England
Date of Recording: 07/2003
Venue: Temple Church, London, England
Length: 3 Minutes 3 Secs.
Language: English

12. Elizabeth Full of Grace by John Tavener
Performer: Robert Millett (Bowls), James Vivian (Organ)
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Chamber Orchestra, Holst Singers, Temple Church Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: 2002; England
Date of Recording: 07/2003
Venue: Temple Church, London, England
Length: 12 Minutes 15 Secs.
Language: English

13. The Protecting Veil: no 1, The Protecting Veil by John Tavener
Performer: Natalie Clein (Cello)
Conductor: Stephen Layton
Orchestra/Ensemble: English Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1987; England
Date of Recording: 07/2003
Venue: Temple Church, London, England
Length: 2 Minutes 41 Secs.

14. Dhyana by John Tavener
Performer: Nicola Benedetti (Violin)
Conductor: Andrew Litton
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century

15. Song for Athene by John Tavener
Conductor: Andrew Litton
Orchestra/Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1993; England

16. The Veil of the Temple: Mother of God, Here I stand by John Tavener
Conductor: Mikel Toms
Orchestra/Ensemble: Brno Philharmonic Orchestra




Thanks to the original releaser