John Tavener

[Oldcrofter]

"Song For Athene, for unaccompanied SATB choir, was commissioned by the BBC and written in memory of Athene Hariades, who died in March 1993. The text is taken from Shakespeare's Hamlet and the Orthodox Funeral Service. The work was first performed at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in September 1997 under the title Alleluia. May Flights of Angels Sing Thee to Thy Rest. Martin Neary conducted the Westminster Abbey Choir. " (From MusicRoom, description of score)

Are you referring to the commission by the BBC (i.e. "for" the BBC) or to Athene Hariades, or to Diana, Princess of Wales , Gabriel ? Not sure which.

[Oldcrofter]

I think this might refer to the first recording: "The song has appeared on, among others, a number of recordings of Tavener's work by various choirs, including Ikons (Cala, 1994) by the BBC Singers" (Wiki) so perhaps it was written "for" the BBC Singers in a sense ?

Like AHinton (Msg 15) not sure of the significance of these details.

[Gabriel Jackson]

I think this might refer to the first recording: "The song has appeared on, among others, a number of recordings of Tavener's work by various choirs, including Ikons (Cala, 1994) by the BBC Singers" (Wiki) so perhaps it was written "for" the BBC Singers in a sense ?

Like AHinton (Msg 15) not sure of the significance of these details.

That is because the information culled from the Musicroom website is incorrect. I was merely pointing out to those cackling detractors of the BBC Singers that John Tavener's (arguably) most famous piece was written for the BBC Singers, for they gave the first performance.

[underthecountertenor]

'Those cackling detractors.' Wonderful and spot on, Gabriel.

[ahinton]

That is because the information culled from the Musicroom website is incorrect. I was merely pointing out to those cackling detractors of the BBC Singers that John Tavener's (arguably) most famous piece was written for the BBC Singers, for they gave the first performance.

My respect for the BBC Singers being what it is, I am most certainly not one of their "detractors" (assuming that they even have any), "cackling" or otherwise and I had not unreasonably interpreted your reference to who it was for whom Tavener wrote Song for Athene to be to the friend in whose memory he composed (and whose forename accordingly appears in its title) rather than the ensemble for whom he wrote it to première; that's why I did not understand what had prompted that reference.

[Oldcrofter]

Ardcarp and Old Grumpy know who JS is and what he/she would prefer to hear - sorry, but just out of interest, who is JS ? I'm not very well attuned when it comes to the BBC Singers (or does it refer to someone on Radio 4 Today programme ?) As I say, just interested.

[Roger Judd]

I suspect that 'JS' is a typo for J(ohn) T(avener).
RJ

[Gabriel Jackson]

I suspect that 'JS' is a typo for J(ohn) T(avener).
RJ

Indeed, and of course they don't know!

[Oldcrofter]

Thank you, Roger, for your suggested explanation.

[Old Grumpy]

Well, you can judge for yourselves - it's here @ 02:58:23

OG

[pole_2_pole]

Funeral to be held at Winchester Cathedral. Many Tavener commissions there in Neary's time...

[Mobson7]

On Friday evening, a planned world premiere of his new work Three Shakespeare Sonnets went ahead at Southwark Cathedral after his family decided it should be the first tribute to his death earlier in the week. In fact, he was still working on the pieces right up until his unexpected death last Tuesday.

http://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org/news/three-Shakespeare-sonnets

The concert given by the South Iceland Chamber Choir can be heard this afternoon at four o'clock in The Choir on Radio 3...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03l1ygw