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In the Barbican's generously programmed 60th birthday celebration of Sir John Tavener, most of the featured works were written since 2002, and so follow the composer's recent path from orthodox Christianity to an appreciation of a truth in every spiritual tradition.
The world premiere of this evening was called Pratrirupa, a Sanskrit word meaning "reflection", a reference to accompanying strings...
JOHN TAVENER’s music is an uneasy pact between time and eternity. Compelled to exist in time, it strains and aspires to timelessness. When, in its very making, it approaches the latter — or at least the illusion of it — then a small miracle occurs.
When it merely serves ideas of the mind, it stumbles.
To celebrate 60 mortal, finite years of Tavener as man and musician, the English Chamber...
This Christmas collection from the esteemed vocal ensemble Polyphony is a compilation from several of the group's existing recordings, plus one work--Morten Lauridsen's O magnum mysterium--from a CD to be issued next spring (2005). Simply put, lovers of Christmas choral music will want/need/have to have this, even though many of the 19 selections have been recorded multiple times in very good...
'Stephen Layton directs the performances and deserves major credit for the very high standards evident on this compilation'
'This is a disc for listening to in peace, after the Christmas Day festivites are over and the visitors have gone'
'Stephen Layton's heartfelt commitment to the composer's music brings forth shimmering performances from his excellent choir Polyphony. If you enjoy radiant choral writing and singing, then this is the disc for you'