Located in the UK
Located in the USA
Located in Europe
- John Tavener
Eternity's Sunrise (1997)
- Chester Music Ltd (World)
Commissioned by The Academy of Ancient Music
- fl.ob/handbells/lute[=hp]/str
- soprano
- 10 min
- William Blake
- English
Programme Note
'I shared in the image of God, but did not keep it safe; the Lord shares in my flesh, so as to save the image, and to make the flesh immortal' - St Gregory of Nazianzus.
My first ideas for Eternity's Sunrise came to me in January 1997, soon after my father's death. These ideas were taken up again in September the same year, in response to a commission from the Academy of Ancient Music, which happened soon after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. There is no such thing as accident or coincidence, so I dedicated my piece to the memory of the Princess.
The concept of solo soprano (representing earth) at ground level, handbells (representing the angels) at an intermediate position, and the main baroque ensemble at a high level (representing heaven) fitted exactly with the Blake text which I had decided to set. When seen as things truly are, the earth is a mirror of the Eternal World, and when seen correctly, it is possible in this world to live in Eternity's sunrise. God does not exist in the world. And yet at the same time He is reflected in it, giving it form and structure. The music should be played with quiet joy, as a day of sunshine and calm, full of gentleness and radiance.
JT
My first ideas for Eternity's Sunrise came to me in January 1997, soon after my father's death. These ideas were taken up again in September the same year, in response to a commission from the Academy of Ancient Music, which happened soon after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales. There is no such thing as accident or coincidence, so I dedicated my piece to the memory of the Princess.
The concept of solo soprano (representing earth) at ground level, handbells (representing the angels) at an intermediate position, and the main baroque ensemble at a high level (representing heaven) fitted exactly with the Blake text which I had decided to set. When seen as things truly are, the earth is a mirror of the Eternal World, and when seen correctly, it is possible in this world to live in Eternity's sunrise. God does not exist in the world. And yet at the same time He is reflected in it, giving it form and structure. The music should be played with quiet joy, as a day of sunshine and calm, full of gentleness and radiance.
JT
Media
Eternity's Sunrise
Scores
Preview the score
Reviews
Eternity’s Sunrise was set to words by Blake for soprano (again a radiant Patricia Rozario) and baroque instruments, plus handbells; again soaring “Alleluias” punctuated long, melismatic vocal lines, seemingly to set to leave this world altogether. Perhaps the secret of appreciate Tavener’s music is to believe that there is another world to open doors into? Then all fans into place. After music like this, applause seems superfluous; but what else is there?
1st July 1998
Discography
Tavener: Eternity's Sunrise
- LabelHarmonia Mundi
- Catalogue NumberHMU907231
- ConductorPaul Goodwin
- EnsembleChoir & Orchestra of The Academy of Ancient Music
- SoloistPatricia Rozario, soprano; Julia Gooding, soprano; Andrew Manze, violin; George Mosley, baritone
