LUMINOUS SETTING
SHIRLEY RATCLIFFE attends a John Tavener première
The concert given by the Anonymous 4 and the Chilingirian Quartet in
Queen Elizabeth Hall on 17 October formed part of the Ikons of Light:
The Inspirations of John Tavener festival running throughout October
at London's South Bank Centre.
Two of Tavener's youthful inspirations have been early music and Stravinsky.
The concert opened with Anonymous 4 performing extracts from their highly-acclaimed
harmonia mundi disc 1000: A Mass for the End of Time. The solemn
spareness of the music -- and one can hear where some of Tavener's inspiration
has derived -- leaves no hiding place for singers. Anonymous 4 were immaculate.
Their blend and intonation are superb and effortless; highly florid ornamentation
of the chant could only make one marvel at this tour de force.
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Copyright © 24 October 2000
Shirley Ratcliffe, Norfolk, UK
A JOHN TAVENER BIOGRAPHY
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