Search - John Tavener, Rudolf Werthen, The Orchestra of Flanders I Fiamminghi :: Tavener: The Protecting Veil; The Last Sleep of the Virgin

Beautiful music with spiritual content

10/16/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tavener is a talented composer from Britain who is influenced by Orthodox Christian spirituality. "Last Sleep of the Virgin" is based on a Russian Orthodox hymn and uses a string orchestra and handbells. The combination produces an ethereal and contemplative mood. At first hearing one might be tempted to label this New-Age-style music but it is light-years beyond that. The twin bases of Tabener's formal composition skill and use of Orthodox themes produce a piece of music which is well-constructed, rewarding to the serious listener, and redolent of an intrinsic spiritual value that much music nowadays, for all its claimed spirituality, merely overlays on itself. In other words, it gives the listener what the composer asks - a contemplation of the Virgin Mary and her place in Christendom."