Tavener
John Tavener

  • Hymn to the mother of God
    Like Part, this modern composer uses ancient style mixed with modern textures leaving the listener rapt in emotions. This piece is liquid water flowing harmonics and smooth melodies makes this work very comforting.
  • Three Antiphons
  • Annunciation
    Weird piece of music. Starts of with a quiet solo group. Then the full choir comes in with a MASSIVE "Hail"; alternating between the two for each verse. Typically Tavener changes the music for each choir section, instead of using the same harmonies and melodies for each. It's quite refreshing.
  • The Akathist of thanksgiving
    Written to a setting of a prayer by an Orthodox Archpriest, this work is amazing. It has a massive choir, orchestra and two counter-tenor soloists. As Tavener is Greek-Orthodox, his musical experience has been much different from main-stream british composers. This is very evident in all of his work, but most evident in this, one of his largest.
  • Funeral Ikos 1981
    Beautiful text for the burial of a dead priest, set to a very simple melody. Tavener at his best.
  • Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in D, Collegium Regale 1986
    Sometimes when i listen to this piece i'm forced to remind myself as to what it is as Tavener's influences are so different from convential English and North American music. I love this work. It gives the listener a great sense of belonging and power, something i think much modern so-called choral music is missing due to the effects of pop culture.
  • A Hymn for the dormition of the Mother of God
    A three sectioned piece, text from the Liturgy for the Dormition of the Mother of God. The first section is a men's soli part over an ison, or drone. The second is in harmony, and the third is constructed of parallel chords based on the melody.
  • The Uncreated Eros
  • Innocence
    Wow. It isn't soemthing for the musically faint-hearted. A beautifully crafted work, involving a choir, soprano soloist (who sings in a range of 3 octaves!!), a tenor soloist, a bass choir, bells, cello, and organ. The work in some senses represents the chaos of the world, and the beauty: enrapted together.
  • Song for Athene
  • The Lamb
    Setting of William Blake famous poem.
  • The Tyger
    Setting of the poem by William Blake, and companion to The Lamb.
  • Today the Virgin
    A Christmas Carol
  • God Is With Us
    A Christmas Proclamation Tenor solo
  • Ode Of St.Andrew Of Crete
    Bari solo
  • Love Bade Me Welcome
  • Eonia
    solo countertenor

  • Real Audio clip of Tavener's Song for Athene by the Wesminster Abbey Choir.


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