)
search-1
search-1 Search
Located in the UK Located in the UK
Located in the USA Located in the USA
Located in Europe Located in Europe

Commissioned by Dartington Summer School of Music

  • 2afl/org (2 players)/5 male speaking voices
  • 2 groups of 7 singers (SSATTBB)
  • Mezzo soprano
  • 8 min

Programme Note

This work was commissioned by the Dartington Summer School of Music in 1970 and later incorporated into 'Ultimos Ritos' (1974), arguably the culmination of Tavener's concert music before his reception into the Orthodox Church and subsequent re-orientation of style. It is based on a single name - Jesus - as pronounced in European, Asiatic and African languages. In the first section, a selection of biblical readings surveys the life of Christ: prophecy of birth (English); meeting with John the Baptist (Latin); his teaching (French); his healing (German); the Last Supper (Spanish); crucifixion (German); resurrection (French); promise of the Holy Spirit (Latin); exaltation by the Father (English). Following a moment of 'ecstatic adoration', the solo soprano sings verses from 'Song of the Soul in rapture at having arrived at the height of Perfection which is union with God, by the road of spiritual negation' by the Spanish mystic, St. John of the Cross, under which the chord and the name evaporate.

Media

Nomine Jesu

Discography

Title Unavailable
  • Label
    EMI
  • Catalogue Number
    SAPCOR20
  • Ensemble
    London Sinfonietta Chorus / London Sinfonietta / Little Missenden Village School Children
  • Soloist
    June Barton, soprano / Margaret Lensky, alto / John Tavener and David Atherton, conductors

The Whale / Celtic Requiem

The Whale / Celtic Requiem
  • Label
    EMI/Apple
  • Catalogue Number
    0863523
  • Conductor
    David Atherton
  • Ensemble
    London Sinfonietta Chorus / London Sinfonetta
  • Soloist
    June Barton, sop, Anna Reynolds, mezzo, Margaret Leusky, mezzo, Raimund Herincx, bar

More Info