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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another work from a true master, December 12, 1999
This review is from: Tavener: We Shall See Him As He Is (Audio CD)
I must admit, when this piece was first performed in my home town, I knew nothing about it. Thus it was something of a surprise to find out that it was commissioned for Chester Cathedral's 900th. Anniversary. This recording was made five days after the Chester premiere, during a BBC Proms performance under the same people. Unfortunately, this is an example of how live recordings can be a bit of a let-down- there is coughing, spluttering and rustling galore at times, which is a particular problem in the very quiet sections (such as the very haunting depiction on high strings of Christ in the Tomb). Hence, I am giving it four stars (it really deserves four and a half). Technicalities of recording aside, the piece and its execution here represents undoubtedly some of Tavener's finest work ever, and he certainly deserves more recognition for it. The iconic element is certainly present throughout the work: depictions in simple words and music that bring Christ to life in our very ears. Freshness oozes forth from the music, particularly in the halos of strings that recur frequently at the ends of several ikons. As for the performance, the low basses so typical of Tavener seem dull and not sonorous (though having been on the choral scene myself as early as 1992 I know that not many basses in Chester could cope with the demands placed upon them) but in the main, this is a truly great and outstanding interpretation of a powerful work. Tavener has stated that he believes music comes through him, not from him. If you doubt that, listen to this disc. You may start to wonder...
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Not one of his best, December 15, 2009
This review is from: Tavener: We Shall See Him As He Is (Audio CD)
I came away from this disc feeling disappointed. I wonder though did I hear it at its best. John Mark Ainsley is great but the sound from the Royal Albert Hall isn't great. Thus, I wonder would I feel different about it if the chorus elements were performed by say Polphony in a different setting, say the Temple Church. But leaving aside sound quality, this CD made me doubt whether Tavener is indeed a master. It sounded to me a little phony (I hesitate using that word because it appears harsh) but it just seemed that the music was the music of a western composer aping the sound patterns of the east. I just felt let down. The orchestration is good - reminded me of Britten's Peter Grimes in the softer string sections but I really just could not get into it. Now, I really took to many other recordings of Tavener's music (the naxos ones are excellent) but from time to time one comes accross something that just sounds corny - the last piece of The Veil of the Temple with the Hindu chant, for example, sounded hollywood. And, then there are other times when Tavener's music is wonderful - I think here of his piece: "As one who sleeps". Anyway, not a piece I will return to often.
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