One of Tavener's most popular and frequently performed works is his short unaccompanied four-part choral setting of William Blake's The Lamb, written for his nephew, Simon, on his third birthday one afternoon in 1982. This simple, homophonic piece is usually performed as a Christmas carol. More important, however, were his explorations of Russian and Greek culture, as shown in "Akhmatova Requiem" and "Sixteen Haiku of Seferis". Later prominent works include The Akathist of Thanksgiving (1987, written in celebration of the millennium of the Russian Orthodox Church); The Protecting Veil (first performed by cellist Steven Isserlis and the London Symphony Orchestra at the 1989 Proms); and Song for Athene (1993, memorably performed at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997). Following Diana's death he also composed and dedicated to her memory the piece Eternity's Sunrise, based on poetry by William Blake.
It has been reported, particularly in the British press, that Tavener left Orthodox Christianity to explore a number of other different religious traditions, including Hinduism and Islam, and became a follower of the mystic philosopher Frithjof Schuon. While he in recent years incorporated elements of non-Western music into his compositions, Tavener remained an Orthodox Christian though his brother, Roger, tended towards Sufi. In 2003 he composed the exceptionally large work The Veil of the Temple, based on texts from a number of religions. It is set for four choirs, several orchestras and soloists and lasts at least seven hours. The 2004 premier of his piece 'Prayer of the Heart' written for and performed by Björk, was featured on CD and incorporated as the soundtrack to Jake Lever's powerful installation 'Centre + Circumference' (2008, Wallspace, All Hallows on the Wall, City of London).
While Tavener's early music was influenced by Igor Stravinsky, often invoking the sound world of the Requiem Canticles and A Sermon, a Narrative and a Prayer, his recent music is more sparse, uses wide registral space and is usually diatonically tonal. Some commentators see a similarity with the works of Arvo Pärt, from their common religious tradition to the technical details of phrase lengths, diatonicism and colouristic percussion effects, though the similarities between their outputs are quite superficial. Olivier Messiaen has also been suggested as a strong influence on his earlier work.
Tavener suffered from the hereditary Marfan Syndrome for much of his adult life, and died peacefully at his home in Dorset on 12 November 2013.
Song for Athene
John Tavener Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alleluia
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest
Alleluia
Alleluia
Remember me, O Lord,
when you come into your kingdom
Alleluia
Give rest, O Lord, to your handmaid who has fallen asleep
Alleluia
Alleluia
The Choir of Saints have found the well-spring of life and door of paradise
Alleluia
Alleluia
Life: a shadow and a dream
Alleluia
Alleluia
Come, enjoy rewards and crowns I have prepared for you.
Alleluia
Alleluia
John Tavener's Song for Athene is a hauntingly beautiful piece of music that reflects on death and eternal life. The lyrics convey the idea of an angelic choir singing the departed soul to its rest. The opening lines of "Alleluia, Alleluia" represent the joyous cry of the angels as they welcome the soul into the afterlife. The next few lines ask God to remember the departed soul when he comes into his kingdom, indicating the hope for eternal life. The line "Give rest, O Lord, to your handmaid who has fallen asleep" is a prayer for the deceased to find peace in the afterlife.
The following lines of "The choir of Saints have found the well-spring of life and door of paradise" convey the idea that the deceased has found his way to the afterlife and is in the company of Saints. The penultimate line, "Life: a shadow, and a dream," expresses the transitory nature of life on earth, emphasizing the eternal nature of the soul. Finally, the concluding line "Come, enjoy rewards and crowns I have prepared for you" is an invitation for the departed soul to enjoy the rewards of eternal life.
The song is a beautiful tribute to Athene Hariades, a friend of Tavener's who died in a cycling accident. It is moving, and the lyrics and music are expertly woven together to create a sense of peace, repose, and hope for eternal life.
Line by Line Meaning
Alleluia
Praising God with this song
May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest
May angels help you reach your eternal rest
Remember me, O Lord,
when you come into your kingdom
Remember me in your kingdom when you come, Lord
Give rest, O Lord, to your handmaid who has fallen asleep
Please give rest to your faithful servant who has died, Lord
The Choir of Saints have found the well-spring of life and door of paradise
The congregation of holy people have attained eternal life and a gateway to paradise
Life: a shadow and a dream
Life is fleeting and temporary like a shadow and a dream
Come, enjoy rewards and crowns I have prepared for you.
Come and receive the rewards and honor I have prepared for you
Alleluia
Continued praising of God with this song
Contributed by Wyatt P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.