English composer of strong religious roots, first catholic and since 1977 orthodox, John Tavener guides most of his musical works from this perspective, either in pieces with direct thematic relationship -as the opera Thérèse (1976)-, or inspirational works in a mystical and meditative sense. To the first group belongs The Protecting Veil (1987), for cello soloist and string orchestra, that uses as direct reference a festivity of the Orthodox Church; subdivide in seven parts without solution of continuity, each one of them uses different religious icons for their development, and delivers the soloist part of the cello in an almost vocal way. The string orchestra surrounds the velvety and stilized sound of the cello in a tonal and modal environment, on which it stands out the two longer movements of the piece, the first The Protecting Veil, and the fourth Lament of the Mother of God at the Cross. More intellectual is the premiére Wake Up...And Die for cello soloist and orchestra of cellos, a curious assignment of the own Sony Classical, that however maintains the same meditative and profoundly religious spirit of the other piece throughout its sustained nineteen minutes. Tavener's music will not produce unconditional adepts, neither it is dumped in conflicts nor creative experiments, but points toward a very internal and intimate part of the listener, obtaining surprising results.

The Protecting Veil (1987) - 47:46
Wake Up...And Die (1998) - 19:11
Yo-Yo Ma (Cello) - Baltimore Symphony Orchestra - Conductor: David Zinman
SONY CLASSICAL SK62821 / 67'

Back to 20th Century Music

Hosted by

Ask Us!