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This is a resource for personal meditation and devotion. It consists of a book with ten sections written by Mother Thekla, on themes of holiness, light, prayer, psalms, ikons, the mother of God, prophets, the mind, Holy week and gospel thoughts. There is an introduction by John Tavener, and a commentary on the attached CD by Professor Richard Steinitz, an expert on Tavener's works. Attached to the book is a CD which features extracts from some of Tavener's recordings. These have been personally selected by the composer and link in with the themes of the different sections of the book. ... Read more

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Since 1997, when John Tavener's "Song for Athene" reduced the crowds to tears at the funeral of Princess Diana, he has enjoyed world-wide recognition. But ever since the 1960s - when he was a friend of the Beatles and lover of Mia Farrow - Tavener has been composing intensely personal and inspirational music that has made his voice distinct from his contemporaries. It was not, however, until the 1980s when Mother Thekla, a Greek Orthodox nun, became his librettist and spiritual guide, that Tavener found massive commercial success, with the Number One bestseller "The Protecting Veil". In the writing of this biography Piers Dudgeon has had unprecedented access to Sir John Tavener, who has given extensive interviews with him for the volume; and to those who have most influenced his music, particularly Mother Thekla. ... Read more

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One of Tavener's most famous works, The Protecting Veil<-i> for solo cello and string orchestra was commissioned by the BBC for the 1989 series of Henry Wood Promenade Concerts. The first performance was given in September 1989 at the Royal Albert Hall

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One of today's leading composers reflects on the relationship of music to the spiritual dilemmas of our time.

In the 1960s, John Tavener's music appeared on the Beatles' Apple label. "The Protecting Veil"--one of the bestselling classical recordings of all time--made him a household name in the eighties, and his "Song for Athene" was heard worldwide when it was played at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.

Yet behind this enormous success is a spiritual dimension, which became explicit after Tavener was received into the Russian Orthodox Church in 1977. With his wide intellectual curiosity and searching musical imagination it comes as no surprise that he possesses a profound and far-reaching musical "philosophy." The Music of Silence gives voice to this philosophy. Based on extensive conversations between the composer and his longtime friend Brian Keeble, it covers his early influences, his attitude and often controversial reactions to the music of his contemporaries, the sacred and religious underpinnings of his faith, as well as the technical aspects of composition.Amazon.com Review
To the satisfaction of some observers and the astonishment ofothers, JohnTavener has become one of the most popular and successfulclassical composers alive today. The marvelously simple and consoling"Song for Athene,"which was sung at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales (and whichnearly stole the show from "Candle in the Wind"), isn't the onlyinstance. Tavener's 1987 cello concerto The ProtectingVeil, for example, drew more large-scale audience interest andgenuine excitement, especially in Britain, than had any new celloconcerto for decades; the composer's a cappella choral worksare sung in church services and concert halls all over the world. Manyconcertgoers and record buyers seem attracted to and even grateful forthe simplicity and spirituality of much of Tavener'smusic. Others--and not only professional critics--find somecharacteristics of his music, and his persona, off-putting and evenstupefying. Much of Tavener's writing is deliberately repetitive: "Ihate progress, I hate development, and I hate evolution in mostthings; but in music particularly," he says. His public utterances areoften unnecessarily inflammatory (such as suggesting that all operahouses and concert halls should be destroyed and that Western cultureis dead and rotting). His spirituality and belief in Eastern Orthodoxyoften appear ostentatious. (How many times has the man posed forphotographs surrounded by ikons and candles?)

The Music of Silence: A Composer's Testament has been assembledand edited by Brian Keeble from extensive interviews with Tavener athis Greek-island home. The second half of the book, which is largelyin interview format, should be quite valuable for those who are movedby his music or just want to understand what the composer is upto. Tavener's explanations of his concept of his music as "ikons insound," the crucial differences he sees between the Christianity ofthe Orthodox East and the Latin West, and his goals in writingparticular works such as Mary of Egypt andFall andResurrection are enlightening and often fascinating.

But the first half of the book is insufferable. "In Retrospect"purports to review Tavener's life and compositional career more orless chronologically. Not only are both the prose and the materialdisjointed, rambling, and repetitive (for which Keeble shares blame)but overbearing self-regard and spiritual pretentiousness seem to oozefrom every page like "liquid metaphysics" (a term Tavener uses todescribe his music). It is, frankly, off-putting and stupefying. Thisreader alternated between bemused annoyance and an intense desire tosee the composer parodied by a comic actor (as when he writes, "I hada vision in the bath one day").

One can't help wishing the composer would emulate his spiritualadviser and sometime librettist, the down-to-earth, no-nonsense Mother Thekla. He quotesher instructing him on how to approach Akathist ofThanksgiving: "Just get on with it, dear." May John Tavenertake that advice well and truly to heart. --Matthew Westphal ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

straightforward insights intothe composer's intent
I found this collection of interviews with the composer John Tavener and the editor, Brian Keeble, to be quite interesting and often amusing. Mr. Taverner is not shy in expressing his great distaste for other "modern" composers who came before him(particularly Olivier Messaien.) The book is helpful for the perspective it gives the reader in understanding the process of composing music. Moreover, it shows us that for Tavener, music is not just for listening, it is a way of serving God. His devotion to the Orthodox Church has served to bring its centuries-old musical/vocal tradition to a broader audience, including those of us who are not familiar with the tenets of that Church. His music is not just for Christians or Orthodox believers; it is a music for people of all beliefs. The solemnity and emotion of the human spirit come through in every one of his works.

John Tavener- in his own words at last
John Tavener has certainly been one of the greatest inspirations in my life, and in this book it is finally possible to glimpse into the inner workings of his mind. His narrative reveals much of his personality, whichis something completely apart from the public "image" that hasoften been thrust upon him. What is so striking is his honesty; although,like his beloved Stravinsky, he sometimes contradicts himself withoutknowing it, Tavener takes the plunge that is always difficult forautobiographers: he admits to a discomfort with his past and is willing toaccount for some embarrassing mistakes in his musical career. It does chafejust a little that he keeps referring to "Fall and Resurrection"(which he had just completed at the time of writing), but thatnotwithstanding, he engages the reader with his tales, opinions andfeelings as much as he engages the faithful listener with his compositions.(And on a personal note, having met him and sung his music to him, I findit very hard not to hear his voice as I read the words...)

The book alsocontains several interview sections conducted by the editor Brian Keeble.These, it is explained in the preface, are recordings of spontaneousdiscussion as opposed to carefully planned dialogue, and to encounterTavener in conversation is nearly as fascinating as reading his own prose.At long last, we can see what makes him tick, how he feels about his lifeand work, and what his hopes for the future are.

Even if you already havethe Geoffrey Haydon book "Glimpses of Paradise," you shouldconsider getting this- it sheds new light on the story of a truly uniquecomposer and does indeed offer a message of hope for the next millennium. Outstanding! ... Read more

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John Tavener is Britain's most popular contemporary composer, his status sealed by the use of his music at the funeral of Diana. In this first-ever biography, the author marshals private letters and diaries, the testimony of family and friends, and extensive interviews with Tavener himself, to explore the apparent paradoxes of his character. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

a look at the man behind the music
"Glimpses of Paradise" is an honest look at the man John Tavener and his music.The book seems well researched and everyone in the "Tavener sphere" seems to have welcomed the author in with open arms to help complete this book.He conducted well over 50 interviews with people from countless countries for the book as well as plundering the archives of Tavener's publisher's etc.There is a good bit of time spent on Tavener's years as a young prodigy that give insight into his creative influences.It shows John as an emerging talent given over to the jet-set lifestyle of hanging out with The Beatles, etc.Also covered are John's rocky early relationships (and marriage.)The author doesn't attempt to gloss over Tavener's relationship issues but presents an honest, but sympathetic picture.Of course, much attention is given to John's conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy and his musical and spiritual relationship with Mother Thekla (an Abbess of an Orthodox monastey.)Of course, much attention is paid to the music, critical reviews of his music, world premieres, etc.There is also a catalogue of works and a selected discography.

For the most part, this is a fascinating book (some of the stuff from his schooling period isn't that riveting.)

I would definately recommend this though.Its a great work about a great composer.

an engrossing look at Tavener's life and work
Geoffrey Haydon's biography of John Tavener is certainly without equal. It is by far the most thoroughly-researched study of Tavener's life and music. Not only does Haydon write of Tavener's music, he shows us the importance of Tavener's family and how their support of his musical genius has helped him become one of the 20th century's greatest musical figures. Also, the patronage of Lady Birley, a woman of wealth and culture, contributed so much to Tavener's ability to live through his art and bring it to so many people. My only small complaint would be that the record companies have not recorded more of his music as is listed in the exhaustive appendix detailing the dozens of choral and orchestral pieces composed since the 1960s. Hopefully, with time we will see a comprehensive collection released on CD.

Because this book was published about 1994-5, discussion of Tavener's recent projects in the past 5 years is absent. Notably, his work with the Academy of Ancient Music, with whom he recorded a selection of choral music, which includes FUNERAL CANTICLE, SAPPHO:LYRIC FRAGMENTS and ETERNITY'S SUNRISE. This CD and TEARS OF THE ANGELS on Linn Records are two great surprises awaiting the listener new to his music.

If you want to read an inspiring story of a man and his art, do not hesitate to pick up a copy of this book. You won't be disappointed!

The truth behind the talent is revealed
Geoffrey Haydon's scholarly and well-presented biography delves deep into the life and work of John Tavener- deeper perhaps than any book or documentary or article since. It discusses his beginnings, his firstcompositions for Kensington Church Choir, his studies with Lennox Berkeleyand David Lumsdaine, the success of his collaboration with the Beatlesnestling alongside a number of failures. All the while, his growingspiritual dimension, his shifts in perception, and the various events inhis personal life are highlighted by Haydon's telling style.

What emergesis an honest and understanding portrait of a unique and distinctivecomposer, portraying him in a favourable light (although at times when itis not perhaps completely deserved). For those studying the music of JohnTavener, the commentaries on many works will prove invaluable; for thosewho like the music and want to discover the person, there is definitelysomething as well, although the composer's own autobiography (due out inApril in the USA) will shed even more light on his nature as a person. Theonly dislike I have about this book is an inevitable one- since it waswritten around 1994, it only covers music and biographical features as faras then, so you will not learn for instance about his second daughter, hisdiscovery of the Academy of Ancient Music, or about any compositions laterthan "The Apocalypse," although the reprint of 1998 includes alist of works as far as 1998, vexingly enough.

Nonetheless, awell-organised, well-written, engrossing and worthwhile book. ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Notes, published by Thomson Gale on September 1, 2006. The length of the article is 601 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Sir John Tavener.(Sir John Tavener: Fall and Resurrection)(Video recording review)
Author: Steve York
Publication: Notes (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 1, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 63Issue: 1Page: 178(2)

Article Type: Video recording review

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Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Chapters: Nikolai Tolstoy, John Tavener, Philip Sherrard, Richard Swinburne, Alexandra Tolstoy, Charles Sydney Gibbes, Timothy Ware, Julius Joseph Overbeck, Ivan Moody, Dmitry Grigorieff, Michael Harper. Excerpt:Alexandra Tolstoy FRGS (born Alexandra Tolstoy-Miloslavsky , 1974; married name Alexandra Galimzyanova ) is an equine adventurer, broadcaster and businesswoman, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society . She has made several long distance journeys on horses which have provided the material for television documentaries, books and talks. The filming of Horse People with Alexandra Tolstoy , a television series for the BBC filmed in 2008, was reported to have contributed to the breakdown of her marriage in 2009. Life The daughter of Nikolai Tolstoy , Tolstoy studied for a Master of Arts degree in Russian at Edinburgh University which enabled her to spend a year in Russia . In 2003, she wrote of Edinburgh that - It s where I made some of my closest friends and enjoyed four very happy and carefree years... Edinburgh has drinking hours that are the envy of all other British universities. Our only worry was how to fill the time between 4am and 6am, when the pubs were shut... The seeds were sown there for the great passions in my life. She next moved to London , joining Credit Suisse First Boston 's graduate scheme as a Eastern European Equities broker. She resigned after a year and spent the next two years working and traveling abroad during which time she spent six weeks walking the old Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route through Spain. In 1999, she was part of a team which spent eight months travelling by horse and camel along a 5,000-mile length of the Silk Road . One of the support team members, an Uzbek show jumper, Shamil Galimzyanov, was to become her future husband. Upon compl... ... Read more

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UK issue. ... Read more

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This massive work for orchestra and four choirs was commissioned by Mario di Bonaventura for the Hopkins Centre, Dartmouth College, Hanover, USA. It was first performed by the BBC singers and the Dutch Radio Orchestra, conducted by John Poole, as part of the Holland Festival 1974. This performance was recorded by the BBC an subsequently broadcast on radio and television. Ideally, Ultimos Ritos should be performed in a cathedral or large church with gallery space. ... Read more

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This massive work for orchestra and four choirs was commissioned by Mario di Bonaventura for the Hopkins Centre, Dartmouth College, Hanover, USA. It was first performed by the BBC singers and the Dutch Radio Orchestra, conducted by John Poole, as part of the Holland Festival 1974. This performance was recorded by the BBC an subsequently broadcast on radio and television. Ideally, Ultimos Ritos should be performed in a cathedral or large church with gallery space. ... Read more

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Work for Solo Piano commissioned for the City of London Festival in 1999.



Quoting John Tavener: Ypaköe, in Greek refers to the Yapöe of Easter “Why seek ye among the dead, as though He were mortal man?”. Ypaköe

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A collection of choral works by the celebrated British composer John Tavener. Contents: A Christmas Round * A Nativity * Apolytikion of the Incarnation * God Is with Us * Ikon of the Nativity * O, Do Not Move * The Lamb * Today the Virgin. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Not music to my ears
I was excited about this book, given the line up of songs, but was very disappointed after actually receiving it. The melodies seem fine, but the harmonies are odd at best and sometimes just in appropriate.On the mild end, the "Imperial March" has major triads, which takes away from it's feeling of impending doom. On the worst end, the harmonies for "We are Family" are just dissonant.

At best, you could use this as a "fix the harmonies" work books. I strongly discourage anyone using this with beginner students, since nothing they play will sound right.

It's an inexpensive book, so if the songs still sound like fun, give it a go, but don't expectmelodious quartet fun. ... Read more

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Chapters: Rick Wakeman, Lady Sovereign, Jerome Thomas, John Tavener, Victor Silvester, Adé Bantu, Paul Nurse, Gary Go, Bob Catlin, Maxine Nightingale, Victor Goddard, Marc Bircham, Junior Lewis, Jerry Roberts, Matt Sparrow, Marvin Johnson, Antonio German, Jerel Ifil, David Tress, Bob Cottam, Vivian H. H. Green, Jim Bulpitt, Michelle Dillon, Cokni O'dire, Denise O'donoghue, Michael Sturt, John Lingwood. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 117. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Richard Christopher Wakeman (born 18 May 1949) is an English keyboard player, composer, and songwriter. He is most known for being the keyboardist for progressive rock band Yes. He had classical piano training, and was a pioneer in the use of electronic keyboards and in the use of a rock band in combination with orchestra and choir. He hosts a regular radio show on Planet Rock. He is considered by many to be one of the best rock keyboardists of all time. Rick Wakeman was born on 18 May 1949 in the west London suburb of Northolt to Cyril and Mildred Wakeman. He attended Wood End Infants School, followed by Drayton Manor Grammar School in 1959. He purchased his first electronic keyboard at the age of 12. In 1968, Wakeman secured a place at the Royal College of Music, where he studied piano, clarinet, orchestration and modern music. He left a year later in favour of session music work. Wakeman became an active session musician. In June 1969, he played Mellotron on David Bowie's single "Space Oddity" for a session fee of £9. He went on to play piano for Bowie's "Life on Mars?", "Changes" and "Oh! You Pretty Things" in April 1971 and "Absolute Beginners" in 1985. He also worked on the Cat Stevens' hit "Morning Has Broken". In 1971 he acquired an early Minimoog synthesizer, purchasing it at half price from actor Jack Wil...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=57668 ... Read more

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For cello, soprano and tenor soli, chorus and orchestra. Includes sections from the Roman Catholic Mass, The Koran, The Upanishads, and Sufi texts. 35 minutes. ... Read more