Format : Sheet music
The composer writes: Commissioned by HRH the Prince of Wales in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and in Aid of The Saints Martha and Mary Convent of Mercy Moscow. Esoterically speaking Elizabeth fullof Grace is about the life and martyrdom of Grand Duchess St. Elizabeth New Martyr of Russia. It resembles an Ikon in sound in its severity of form and in its ritual incantation of the name of Elizabeth. It is a succinct tellingof the outward story of her life; her descent into hell (represented by the violent intrusion of the full organ she was hurled down a mine by the Bolsheviks); and a shimmering evocation of the sweet perfume that emanated fromher uncorrupted body when it was later discovered in Jerusalem. Esoterically the music is a Prayer. Life death the encounter with God then eternity all these realities are already present in Prayer in the timelessactuality of the Divine Presence. Being present with God in prayer is a death in life and a life in death as it was for St. Elizabeth and as it will be for us. Holy Elizabeth pray to god for us! The music uses three sets ofboys' voices (trebles and altos) two of which should be positioned at a distance from the main choir and orchestra. It is punctuated by the sound of a large Tibetan temple bowl. Elizabeth full of Grace is also dedicated tothe memory of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
SKU: HL.14042686
Full Score For John Tavener'S Three Hymns Of George Herbert For Satb Chorus, Percussion And Strings. Commissioned By The Legatum Institute [Www.Li.Com] As Part Of Its British And American Notions Of Liberty Programme, In The Year Of The Diamond Jubilee Of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth Ii. First Performance On 21St April 2013 In Washington National Cathedral, By The City Choir Of Washington Conducted By Robert Shafer. The Three Hymns Of George Herbert Were Written After A Long Illness, And Represent For Me A Hymn Of Thanksgiving To God For A Relative Return To Health. They Are Intended To Be Sung In A Large, Resonant Acoustic, With The Main Choir And String Orchestra At One EndOf The Building, And An Echo Choir And String Quartet At The Other. The Percussion (Tubular Bells, Gongs And Tam-Tams) Should Sound From A Gallery Or Other Raised Position. The Hymns Were Inspired By The Transparent Poetry Of George Herbert, And Are Dedicated In Gratitude And Love To The Memory Of Mother Thekla, Former Abbess Of The Orthodox Monastery Of The Assumption, Normanby, Near Whitby, Who Died In 2011. - John Tavener.
