The Veil of the Temple

The Veil of the Temple is a piece of choral music by British composer Sir John Tavener. Identified by Tavener as "the supreme achievement of my life",[1][2] it is set for four choirs, several orchestras and soloists and lasts at least seven hours.[3] It is based on text from a number of religions, and received its world premiere performance at the Temple Church, London in June 2003.[4]

Structure

The piece is split into eight cycles. The first seven follow the same structure, with each cycle being a higher key than the previous.[4] For example, Cycles I to VII open with a soprano solo.[5] This is then followed by a setting of the kyrie in either English or the original Greek. Successive cycles add additional musical complexity and words to each movement, with the result that cycle I takes about 20 minutes to perform, but cycle VII takes 1.5 hours.[6]

Cycles I to VII use the following structure:[5]

TitleSectionSung byNotes
Mystical Love Song of the SufisSolo soprano
Primordial CallOrchestra
God’s CreationKyrie 1Choir
Tohu, Vohu, Tahem. LogosChoir, with soloists
In the beginningSolo bass
Kyrie 2Choir
You mantle yourself in light.Choir
Kyrie 3Choir
Outside the Gates of ParadiseO Blessed ParadiseChoir, with soloists
Kyrie 4Choir
What God is.Choir
Kyrie 5Choir
Our FatherLords PrayerChoir
Kyrie 6Choir
Holy MaryO Mary Theotokos.Choir
Hail, O Mother of God!Choir
Here I stand now praying.Choir
In thee rejoiceth.ChoirCycles V to VII only
Awed by the beautyChoirCycles V to VII only
Alleelouia 1ChoirCycles V to VII only
Kyrie 7Choir
Alleluia. Theos ErastosAlleelouia 2Choir
Kyrie 8Basses
Kyrie 9Choir
Gospel of St JohnGospel of JohnSolo Bass
Alleelouia 3Choir
Thrice-Holy Hymn - ResurrectionTe re rem.ChoirNot cycle VII
Agios ischyros.ChoirNot cycle VII
Have mercy on me, O God.ChoirNot cycle VII
Agios Athanatos 1ChoirNot cycle VII
In Thy kingdom remember us, O Lord.ChoirNot cycle VII
Beatitudes of St. Isaac the SyrianThe Beatitudessingle voice partNot cycle VII
Ágiós Athánatos 2ChoirNot cycle VII
Christos anesteeChoirNot cycle VII
PsalmSolo BassNot cycle VII

References
  1. Tavener, John. "The Veil of the Temple". Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  2. Anastasia Tsioulcas (12 November 2013). "Remembering 'Holy Minimalist' Composer John Tavener". NPR Music. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  3. Michael White, "A Time for Reflection", BBC Music Magazine, Vol. 22 No. 2 (December 2013): p. 29.
  4. Layton, Stephen. "Sir John Tavener (1944 – 2013)". Retrieved 14 November 2013.
  5. "The Veil of the Temple" (PDF). CD notes. Chester Music. 2003. Retrieved 2016-11-12.
  6. "The Veil of the Temple" (PDF). CD notes. Signum Records Ltd. 2013. Retrieved 2016-11-12.
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