Lionel Martin performs Tavener

Featuring

Corinna Niemeyer
Lionel Martin
Yuval Weinberg
Stuttgarter Kammerorchester
SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart
John Tavener

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Compositional Technique

In 'The Protecting Veil', the cello consistently plays in a very high pitch, often in violin range, which requires significant strength from the cellist.

Composition History

Tavener's 'Svyati' for 12 voices and cello, composed in 1995, refers to a moment in the Christian-Orthodox funeral service where family members kiss the coffin.

Compositional Technique

The cello concerto 'The Protecting Veil' has a symmetrical form, divided into eight passages, with the first and last representing the 'protecting veil'.

Composer's Artistic Vision

John Tavener, the composer, referred to his cello concerto 'The Protecting Veil' as an 'icon of sound' or 'icon in sound'.

Compositional Technique

Tavener incorporated microtones from the Byzantine music tradition into 'The Protecting Veil', which do not fit into the Western semitone system.

Composer Biography

John Tavener, the composer, converted to Orthodox Christian faith, and its mysticism deeply influenced his work 'The Protecting Veil'.

Performer Biography

Lionel Martin, the cellist on this recording, was accepted into Anne-Sophie Mutter's foundation for young musicians in 2017 and has toured extensively with her.