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Cappella Nova - Tavener Conducts Tavener - All About Jazz

Estonian composer Arvo Pärt (b. 1935) had but one peer in the realm of choral writing: that of Sir John Tavener (1944-2013). Not to be confused with another British choral composer, John Taverner (1490-1545), the modern Tavener distinguished himself with his considerable corpus of sacred composition, strongly influenced by his Russian Orthodox faith (which he converted to in 1977). This present recording, Tavener Conducts Tavener is notable for the presence of two Tavener relatives: Rebecca Tavener, director of Canty and soprano in Cappella Nova and organist Alan Tavener. Included here are settings from Tavener's Resurrection, "Paradise Choir," that opens and closes this program. The disc contains pieces composed late in Tavener's life and recorded here for the first time. These include "A New Commandment" based on John 14:15-16 and 13:34 and "Nunc dimittis" based on Luke 2:29-32. Also included is a shimmering performances of "The Lamb" and "A Cradle Song" both from William Blake. While the title is a tease, this is an exceptional recital of Tavener music.

All About Jazz
19 December 2015