Customer Reviews

Tavener: Song for Athene / Svyati

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

 

 

For all the minor "complaints" one could have about this recording, it is still a wonderful, recent recording of beautiful music from one of England's finest traditional choirs. For such a cheap price, it is WELL worth the money!

Tavener's music is perhaps an acquired taste. If modern, "hypnotic" sacred choral music appeals to you, then you would certainly do well to buy this recording, which includes some of Tavener's best works. I personally enjoy the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis best. Everything on here is very well sung -- sometimes truly beautifully so -- by the men and boys of St. John's College Choir.

If you like Tavener, this CD is certainly worthy of your collection. If you are not familiar with Tavener's music, then this is the CD to buy to discover it -- the quality of singing is first-class and the price can't be beaten!

This is the best addition to my music library I've made in quite some time. Hearing the ethereal Song for Athene sung for Princes Diana's funeral I was mesmerized. It wasn't until our church choir began rehearsing this piece that I learned who had written it. I immediately went to Amazon to find more music by John Tavener. When I saw the price of this recording, I hesitated--perhaps the rest of his music doesn't match the quality of Athene? Why else would the price be so low? Since receiving my order I can only say it is worth far more. Anyone who enjoys the mystical eastern sounds introduced to us in the 60s and 70s will thoroughly enjoy Tavener's marriage of English choral music with the hypnotic droning "ohms" of eastern music.
You will experience mystery and contemplation as you listen. Blake's and Herbert's poetry take on new meaning when set to Tavener's provocative underpinnings. His other pieces further create a sense of wonder, meditation, and awe. To listen is to be drawn to worship. Each piece on the disc adds value to the recording. What a marvelous find.

I agree with the previous analysis of this recording, but I must point out that on Taverner's own recording of some of these works (entitled "Innocence", it includes the Lamb, the Tyger, Song for Athene) the sound quality is MUCH worse. Some tracks buzz, some seem to have been recorded in a giant washing machine. Buy this one -- plus it's ten bucks cheaper!

i've read that some of tavener's recent compositions have ranged from pretentious to excruciating, but the selections on this naxos issue are very approachable and performed with a great deal of reverence.

the longest piece, "svyati", is also the most haunting. a combination of mournful solo cello and simple choral underlay is wonderful.

my main complaint is that in places it sounds... mushy. it possibly has to do with the acoustics of the venue, but on passages like "the tiger" the vocal layers end up smearing each other.

comparing it to the clean sound of "psalms for the soul" (naxos 8.554823) only adds to the frustration. still, a good cheap way to get some excellent late 20th century choral music and a must for tavener fans.

I have had the privilege (yes privilege) to perform all the works of Tavener that are recorded on this CD. As an Organist/Choirmaster I have also had the pleasure of my choirs performing many of the works heard here, i.e. Funeral Ikos, The Tyger, The Lamb, Alleluia (Song for Athene), and Two Hymns to the Mother of God, amongst many others. His music is quite captivating and sometimes quite heart-wrenching. I know when "Funeral Ikos" was performed at the funeral services for a former Priest (Episcopalian), there wasn't a dry eye or seat in the place. The choir in this recording is a superb group and as expected, they performed remarkably well. There is no grey area when it comes to the music of John Tavener. If you want a good recording of his choral music, I highly suggest this CD.

If you're a fan of John Tavener, then you would easily admire this CD once you purchase it. Presented here are some of Tavener's short choral works. From "The Tiger" & "Song for Athene" to "Svyati" & "As One Who Has Slept," the composer gives us fine examples of his brilliant mysticism. The only problem here is the sound quality. Naxos usually gives us some top-rate sound that's almost equal to Chandos and Decca. Here, however, the acoustics are a bit mushy in many places. I think it's due to the recording location (St. John's College Chapel, Cambridge). But despite the sound quality, it doesn't detract from the magnificent singing of the St. John's College Choir, Cambridge. In every choral work, they sing without hesitation, nor do they overblow it. This is a superb choral ensemble that is almost as great as Polyphony and The Sixteen.

Tavener's Music: A
Choir: A
Sound Quality: B-

Wander to over to Classicstoday.com and do a search for all the reviews of Tavener's works. You'll come to the inescapable conclusion: Tavener sucks. What's even more astounding is that this judgement seems to be shared by nearly all in Classicstoday's notoriously fractious stable of critics. Quite a feat.

So, is Tavener as bad as all that? I must confess that I haven't been exposed to what is apparently Tavener's worst stuff. Also, British critics hate self-promotion, and Tavener has practiced self-promotion (and pretension) to a nearly obscene degree. This may get in the way of a serious appraisal of his work.

I find this disk quite pleasant, although I can see how having to endure longer works of Tavener's would be difficult. His musical themes are very simple, and they are worked out in manner that can rather quickly become boring. In these short choral works, which are performed with expert precision, this thematic claustrophobia can actually produce a striking effect.

I have an inkling that there might be something of a Tavener revival 20 or 30 years from now. Make no mistake, he is fathoms below Part, Rautavaara, Hovhaness, Kancheli and Gubaidulina, among composers who write in a similar style. But on this disk, at least, he scores a moderate success.

I have liked Tavener since Apple and the Whale.

I came across this in a budget section and gave it a whirl. Actually it has been in my car for three days. Well written, well sung, well orchestrated. Well what?

Well it does not seem to me, although I am no expert, that it sounds pretty much like any other English choral music.

It sounds good but does not sound special.

I like it but it does not raise my soul.