Mystical wonder

To better prepare us for a greater understanding and appreciation of the pieces in our repertoire, I plan on talking about certain ones in more detail from time to time. I’ve been gratified by your reactions to the John Tavener piece, Mother of God, Here I Stand. You’ve noted that this is a work within a work within a work~ in other words, it is one of the Five Anthems that is part of The Veil of the Temple. Most of the recordings that are available are a 2-disc, 2 hour condensation of what was a massive choral event. The Veil of the Temple premiered on June 27-28, 2003 at the Temple Church in London. You read that right; the premiere lasted 8 hours. Although based upon the traditional mass, the music is organized into eight cycles with mystical texts taken from Sufi, Protestant, and Greek Orthodox writers. This All Night Vigil must have been quite a listening and exhausting experience! I urge all vocal/choral majors (and anyone else interested) to visit this site to hear samples from the Veil (http://www.amazon.com/John-Tavener-Veil-Temple-Hybrid/dp/B0007DAYY2)
And this site (http://www.chesternovello.com/Default.aspx?TabId=2441&State_2934=2&discId_2934=976) to learn more about the work.

I encourage you to listen to the unique, mystical, minimal, and at times vocally CRAZY-demanding works of Tavener. You’ll be richer for it!
Thank you for yesterday’s rehearsal. You were focused and we got through the plan (which always makes me very happy!). Bring that same gameplan to rehearsal tomorrow! We will miss our band folks as they travel to BG and those that are battling the flu…but the rest of us can work on our craft with an intensity that will benefit all!
Dr. O