• John Tavener
  • The Hidden Treasure (1989)

  • Chester Music Ltd (World)

Commissioned by the University of Keele

  • 2vn.va.vc
  • 25 min

Programme Note

I dreamed The Hidden Treasure in the form of twenty-five notes which I immediately saw as a Byzantine palindrome representing 'Paradise'. These twenty-five notes formed the structure of my piece, which represents a journey from Paradise towards Paradise: the constant memory of the Paradise from which we have fallen leads to the unknown Paradise which was promised to the repentant thief. The steps of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ are suggested throughout.

The Hidden Treasure was written in memory of Mother Katherine, who died on Christmas Day 1988, and of Sophie, a very dear friend who was tragically killed in Greece in January 1989.

John Tavener

Media

The Hidden Treasure

Discography

Title Unavailable
  • Label
    Virgin
  • Catalogue Number
    VC5 45023-2
  • Ensemble
    Chilingirian String Quartet
Title Unavailable
  • Label
    RCA
  • Catalogue Number
    09026 68761-2
  • Ensemble
    Kiev Chamber Choir / Chilingirian String Quartet / Moscow Virtuosi
  • Soloist
    Patricia Rozario, soprano / Steven Isserlis, cello / Vladimir Spivakov and Mykola Gobdych, conductors

The Last Sleep of the Virgin

The Last Sleep of the Virgin
  • Label
    Virgin Classics
  • Catalogue Number
    VC 5 45023 2
  • Ensemble
    Chilingirian String Quartet