Format : Vocal Score
In Prayer Of The Heart the text of the Eastern Orthodox monastic prayer -- Lord Jesus Christ Son of God Have mercy upon me is sung in a mantra-like way in English Greek and Coptic while a slow recording of a human heartbeatplays. The singer is instructed to sit on a low stool bowing towards the heart and may play the bell and bowl. The piece slowly explores the entire circle of fifths beginning in the key of C and playing each related minorand moving to the related dominant key then repeating until the return to C. It is a profoundly meditative work.The work was originally composed for Icelandic singer Björk and the Brodsky Quartet to benefit the charity TheChain of Hope. It was recorded by the original performers.John Tavener was that rare creature a composer of serious music and serious religious music who had also achieved commercial success. He burst into the popularconsciousness with the performance of his Song for Athene at the funeral of Princess Diana but had been a highly respected and frequently-performed composer since the premiere of his dramatic cantata The Whale in 1968.
SKU: HL.14041950
8.25x11.75x0.06 inches.
Prayer of the Heart was inspired by The Chain of Hope. This charitable organisation raises money for the treatment of heart disorders in children, including Marfan's Syndrome, of which John Tavener is a sufferer. Thesinger should sit on a low stool, bowing towards the heart. This facilitates the soul's concentration, and its unification in ecstasy. The Prayer of the Heart is prayed ceaselessly day and night, awake or sleeping, becauseit has become at one with the beating of the heart... Silence, peace, sweetness of union with God... The Prayer is not usually sounded with the voice at all - it is silent. Therefore the music must be played and sungintensely, quietly, with no physical effort. The Byzantine bell and large Tibetan temple bowl may be played by the singer. Prayer of the Heart should be sung in subdued lighting, perhaps by candlelight. The recording of theheartbeat should sound very tenderly and quietly throughout.
