Customer Reviews

Byzantia: Music of John Tavener

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I received this disc by mail today and have just finished listening to the entire disc. There was a similarity in the pieces, most pronounced by the use of the pedal board of the pipe organ in a sostenuto. This was repeated in at least two of the predominantly a capella choral pieces, with basses as drones, similar to a bagpipe, but more remarkable because these were human voices. John Tavener is one of the pre-eminent contemporary composers of sacred music which can speak to even the most secular of audience. I especially appreciate his mastery of the timelessness of the musical praise of God. He has connected the Byzantine with today, bridging the gulf of time between "the then" and "the now". This is a very wonderful example of the timelessness of fine music crafted with the cerebrum ans performed with the heart. Willa E. Hayes WEHinTVC@aol.com

I got this CD for free a few years ago, having little idea who John Tavener was. I'd heard my school's top choir singing Song for Athene, and I loved it, but I didn't think to look into the rest of the composer's oeuvre.

Byzantia has become a perennial favorite. The recording of Song for Athene is fantastic, of course. I still don't have speakers good enough to fully appreciate it.

But I also fell in love with the other a cappella choral works on this CD (the choir[s] on the disc are excellent), and I even sometimes listen to the orchestral pieces (that's saying something for this choral buff!).

This is an excellent sampler to start into Tavener's work.

I've waited for 2 months for this CD----it's worth the wait! Song for Athene, played @ Princess Diana's funeral is absolutely exquisite! The entire CD is beautiful------it's like a religious experience!

This CD is enjoyable. The pieces are slow and deliberate, however, they are encouraging rather than sombre. Since I am obligated to write what I think of this CD, I must admit that it is enjoyable but not rewarding for me. I do think that many people will like this CD based on the popularity of John Tavener. An attestation of his mass appeal is that SONG FOR ATHENE was performed at the funeral of Princess Diana. I think that it is worth considering that Elton John also penned a song for that same occasion. Regardless of my opinion, this is still a nice collection of Tavener's music. It is well performed, and provides some space for reflection. If you are interested in encouraging music in a sacred tradition, this CD will be interesting to you.