Immerse yourself in the profound and spiritual world of John Tavener's "The Veil of the Temple," a monumental work of choral minimalism that stands as one of the composer's most ambitious and deeply personal achievements. Composed in 2003, this extensive piece was commissioned by the Temple Church in London for an all-night vigil, and it remains a testament to Tavener's unique vision and spiritual depth.
Spanning over two hours and twenty-eight minutes, "The Veil of the Temple" is a sprawling exploration of faith, mysticism, and the divine. The album is divided into eight cycles, each containing multiple movements that weave together ancient texts, liturgical chants, and original compositions. Tavener's signature minimalist style is evident throughout, with its repetitive patterns and haunting harmonies creating a sense of timelessness and transcendence.
The album features a stellar ensemble, including the Temple Church Choir, The Holst Singers, and the Brass Ensemble of the English Chamber Orchestra, all conducted by Stephen Layton. Their performances bring a sense of reverence and precision to Tavener's intricate and demanding score, making this recording a standout in the choral repertoire.
"The Veil of the Temple" is not just an album; it's an experience. From the mystical love songs of the Sufis to the primal calls and sacred texts, each track offers a glimpse into the profound spiritual journey that Tavener undertook in creating this work. Whether you're a longtime fan of Tavener's music or a newcomer to his unique sound, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.
Released on Signum Records in 2013, "The Veil of the Temple" is a testament to John Tavener's enduring legacy as one of the most innovative and spiritually driven composers of our time. Dive into this extraordinary work and let the ethereal beauty of Tavener's music transport you to a place of quiet reflection and spiritual awakening.
(C) 2013 Signum Records
Tracks
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle I: I. Mystical Love Song of the SufisJohn Tavener, Brass Ensemble of the English Chamber Orchestra, Patricia Rozario, Dirk Campbell, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle I: II. Primordial CallJohn Tavener, Trebles of the Temple Church Choir, John Thurgood, Adrian Peacock, David Barnard, Simon Wall, Jeremy Birchall, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle II: I. Primordial CallJohn Tavener, Brass Ensemble of the English Chamber Orchestra, John Thurgood, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle II: II. God's CreationJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Adrian Peacock, David Barnard, Simon Wall, Jeremy Birchall, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle II: III. Outside the Gates of ParadiseJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Simon Wall, Nathan Vale, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle II: IV. Our FatherJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle II: V. Holy MaryJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Robert Millett, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle II: VI. Alleluia, Theos ErastosJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle II: VII. Gospel of St JohnJohn Tavener, The Temple Church Choir, Thomas Guthrie, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle II: VIII. Thrice-Holy Hymn - ResurrectionJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Trebles of the Temple Church Choir, Robert Millett, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle II: IX. Beatitudes of St Isaac the SyrianJohn Tavener, Boys of the Temple Choir, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Robert Millett, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle III: I. Primordial CallJohn Tavener, The Temple Church Choir, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Alex Mitchell, Yates Norton, Luca del Panta, John Thurgood, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle III: II. Psalm of CreationJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle III: III. O Blessed Paradise, Pray for MeJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Simon Wall, Nathen Vale, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle IV: I. Primordial CallJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Alex Mitchell, Yates Norton, Luca del Panta, John Thurgood, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle IV: II. Mystery of the Nothingness of GodJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle V: I. Primordial CallJohn Tavener, The Temple Church Choir, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Alex Mitchell, Yates Norton, Luca del Panta, John Thurgood, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle V: II. You Mantle Yourself in LightJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Patricia Rozario, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle V: III. Jesus PrayerJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle V: IV. The Lord's PrayerJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VI: I. Primordial CallJohn Tavener, The Temple Church Choir, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Alex Mitchell, Yates Norton, Luca del Panta, John Thurgood, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VI: II. What God is, we do not knowJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VI: III. God of StrengthJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Alex Mitchell, Yates Norton, Luca del Panta, John Thurgood, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VI: IV. Kyrie Eleison - ChantJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VI: V. Te Re Rem – Ecstatic ChantJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Alex Mitchell, Yates Norton, Luca del Panta, John Thurgood, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VI: VI. Jesus Having Risen from the TombJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VII: I. Apocalyptic Primordial CallJohn Tavener, Brass Ensemble of the English Chamber Orchestra, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Alex Mitchell, Yates Norton, Luca del Panta, John Thurgood, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VII: II. Absolved in the MirrorJohn Tavener, Brass Ensemble of the English Chamber Orchestra, Patricia Rozario, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Dirk Campbell, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VII: III. Jesus PrayerJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VII: IV. Hesychast MeditationJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VII: V. Mary TheotokosJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VII: VI. Hail, Veil of the TempleJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VII: VII. Mother of GodJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VII: VIII. AlleluiaJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Yates Norton, Luca del Panta, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VII: IX. The Gospel of St JohnJohn Tavener, Brass Ensemble of the English Chamber Orchestra, Simon Wall, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VIII: I. MaranathaJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Andrew Rupp, Adrian Peacock, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VIII: II. Awake Thou That SleepestJohn Tavener, The Temple Church Choir, Thomas Guthrie, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VIII: III. Into BeautyJohn Tavener, Brass Ensemble of the English Chamber Orchestra, Patricia Rozario, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Dirk Campbell, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VIII: IV. Rending of the Veil of the Temple: Maya AtmaJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Patricia Rozario, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Alex Mitchell, Yates Norton, Luca del Panta, John Thurgood, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VIII: V. Knights Templar in the Temple ChurchJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Trebles of the Temple Church Choir, Jeremy Birchall, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VIII: VI. Light of ChristJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Jeremy Birchall, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VIII: VII. Cosmic RisingJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Trebles of the Temple Church Choir, Jeremy Birchall, Thomas Guthrie, Andrew Rupp, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VIII: VIII. New Jerusalem - Upanishad HymnJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Brass Ensemble of the English Chamber Orchestra, Patricia Rozario, Hugh Benson, Christopher Kassam, Robert Millett, James Vivian, Ian Le Grice, Alex Mitchell, Yates Norton, Luca del Panta, Stephen Layton
The Veil of the Temple, Cycle VIII: IX. ShántihJohn Tavener, The Holst Singers, The Temple Church Choir, Patricia Rozario, Stephen Layton
Sir John Tavener, a prominent British composer, is renowned for his deeply spiritual and innovative musical works that have captivated audiences worldwide. Born in London in 1944, Tavener's musical journey began at an early age, composing music as early as three and learning to play the piano. His extensive output of choral religious works, including iconic pieces like "The Lamb," "The Protecting Veil," and "Song for Athene," has made him a household name in the realm of classical music. Tavener's music is characterized by its accessibility and profound spiritual depth, drawing from sacred and spiritual texts to create works of universal appeal. His unique blend of minimalism and choral compositions has earned him a dedicated following and critical acclaim. Tavener's influence extends beyond the classical sphere, making his music a cultural touchstone for many. His legacy continues to inspire and move audiences, cementing his place as one of the most influential composers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
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John Tavener
