John Tavener

A short work for unaccompanied SSSAA choir with music by John Tavener and words by W.B. Yeats. Includes piano accompaniment for rehearsal purpose only.

This work was commissioned by DOM in association with Canty who gave the first performance in York Minster on 23rd October 2008.This brief motet for four voices and renaissance bray harp was written in the South of France inFebruary 2007. It is a setting of two Hadiths or sayings attributed to the Prophet Mohammed. The words convey something of the great mystery of the Absolute and the Beautiful One who is immanent and yet hidden. The music shouldbe performed with great purity in a resonant acoustic. If a renaissance bray harp is not available the harp part may be played on a contemporary instrument. I was a Hidden Treasure; And I longed to be known; So Icreated the world.God is a Beautiful Being And He loves Beauty.

John Tavener's popular setting of The Lord's Prayer is arranged here for Upper Voices and Piano or Organ by Barry Rose. The Lord's Prayer was originallycommissioned by the Guildford Philharmonic for the Tallis Scholars and first performed on 10th March 2000 by them at Holy Trinity Church Guildford.  This arrangement received a positive review fromGeoffrey Webber in the January/February 2016 edition of Choir & Organ.

If Ye Love Me by John Tavener was commissioned by Manchester International Festival (MIF Creative) with thanks to the support of the MIF Commissioning Circle. In If Ye LoveMe there are subtle echo-effects between three String Quartets which are complimented by an upper Voice choir.