 Sir John Tavener Photograph courtesy of Kent Messenger |
Tavener
|
I was
made aware of a concert to be given at
The
presence of the composer, Sir John Tavener, being the
main attraction and the world premier of his Supernatural
Songs to be performed in his presence.
The
programme also included works by Mozart, Samuel Barber.
Elgar and Tippett. Introduced by Martin Bell OBE (past
war correspondent) readings were carried out by Samuel
West. The orchestral arrangements were by The Britten
Sinfonia conducted by Nicholas Cleobury.
The
Supernatural Songs were written in November and December
2002 and based upon poetry of W. B. Yates. The songs move
from a line in Latin about Divine Love through Human Love
and Greek Myth into a kind of Hindu Ecstasy.
Sir
John Taverner converted to the Orthodox Church in 1977
resulting in his growing conviction that Eastern
traditions retrained a primordial essence that the west
had lost.
A
friend of mine studied music with Sir John Tavener and I
was advised that Sir John was influenced by Stavinsky,
Ravel and Messian.
I have
got to admit that I was transfixed during the whole of
the Supernatural Songs and during my journey home from
the cathedral my whole being felt elated. If any member
of All Saints church wishes to know anymore I shall be
pleased to inform them.
Sir
John lives mainly in
Elsie Harris