John Tavener: A Celebration, Royal Festival Hall

John Tavener, who died just a few months ago, was one of Britain’s greatest musical figureheads. His work was incredibly popular, engendering an international reputation and die-hard fans ranging from the Royal Family to The Beatles. Due to his populism, Tavener generates a small amount of snobbery, yet the power of his music is undeniable.
Tavener found a niche in what’s come to be termed ‘Sacred Minimalism’ - his own brand of deceptively simple music, written with an entirely devotional motive; Tavener was a devout Orthodox Christian, and saw no divide between his music and his worship. To him, they were one and the same.
The Bach Choir are to honour the composer in a Royal Festival Hall concert made up entirely of his works. Most of his work, is choral and we’ll be in good hands with this mixed choir. The concert opens with a UK premiere of O Where, Tell Me Where? for voices and tubular bells, before playing The Protecting Veil for cello and strings. This is a particularly special work - and incredibly slow-moving harmonic language, in which the cello, to be played by the renowned Raphael Wallfisch, sings slowly and beautifully over the top. A celestial sound world which is truly beautiful.
The high point of the concert however, will be Song for Athene, which like so much of the composer’s output, we all know even if we think we don’t. It is not hard to see why the piece was played at the apex of Princess Diana’s funeral. Song for Athene is a magnificent work - the composer at his best: moody slow moving, chant like vocal lines building quietly and slowly towards a stunningly epic climax.