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SIR JOHN TAVENER Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey A SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING FOR THE LIFE AND WORK OF SIR JOHN TAVENER 28th January 1944–12th November 2013 Wednesday 11th June 2014 Noon SIR JOHN TAVENER John had endured many periods of illness during his life, and mortality was constantly in his thoughts and also at the heart of many of his most significant works. So often had John come through testing times that his sudden passing was a great shock last November. It has been a privilege for us at Chester Music to know John through our work as his publisher over five decades. In the quiet times of the early 1980s, he was seeking to express through his music his newly found Orthodox faith. Once he had found the means to do just that, it seemed that there was no end to the interest that each new work would generate. The continual requests for interviews or for John’s opinion on this or that were met with streams of densely written and strongly worded faxes in John’s characterful hand that would often be piled up on the machine as we arrived each morning. Yet nothing would disturb the flow of his unique output of musical thought. The journey from the youthful vigour and élan of The Whale in the 1960s to the masterpieces of the following fifty years, such as Akhmatova: Requiem, The Protecting Veil, The Veil of the Temple, Towards Silence, The Death of Ivan Ilyich and beyond, was not always direct or smooth. He absorbed conversations and read widely, always searching for material on which he could hang musical expression. That the voice he discovered attracted such a following and gave such comfort to so many was something of a miracle to him. The apparent confidence of the public persona belied a man of huge personal warmth, loyalty and humour, always concerned with the health and well-being of others. What was not so obvious to many was the almost physical nature of his nervousness at a premiere, or the infectious giggle that punctuated get-togethers with friends and colleagues. As a family man, he valued hugely the years at home with his parents, with Maryanna, a pillar of strength and inspiration, and their three adored children, Theodora, Sofia and Orlando, of whom he was so rightly proud. John’s legacy is yet to be fully discovered, with several works being premiered this year and next, unheard by their composer. As we give thanks today for Sir John Tavener, we should be in no doubt that all of us are fortunate to have witnessed the life and work of a composer and artist whose strength of mind and remarkable talent has changed the way that many of us think about classical music. He has left a body of work that is to be discovered and enjoyed, and which, most importantly, speaks for itself. James Rushton Managing Director, Chester Music Limited, Music Sales Group 2 1949 3 Members of the congregation are kindly requested to refrain from using private cameras, video, or sound recording equipment. Please ensure that mobile phones, pagers, and other electronic devices are switched off. The church is served by a hearing loop. Users should turn their hearing aid to the setting marked T. The service is conducted by The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster. The choral music is sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey, conducted by James O’Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers. The organ is played by Daniel Cook, Sub-Organist. The cantors are Alexander Lingas, Vasilis Maroulas, Pavlos Melas, and James Heywood. The orchestral music is played by Britten Sinfonia, conducted by Stephen Layton. Notes on the music by John Tavener to be performed before and during the service may be found on page 19. A retiring collection will be taken for the John Tavener Memorial Fund. The Fund supports causes close to John’s heart, including the preservation of his unique manuscripts, the furtherance of religious education and tolerance through music, and the support of Marfan research. To donate electronically or by cheque, send funds marked JTMF to Lady Tavener either c/o 14/15 Berners St, London W1T 3LJ, or to account 61392146 at 60-04-11. 4 Music before the service: Martin Ford, Assistant Organist, plays: Fantasia and Fugue in C minor BWV 537 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr BWV 663 Johann Sebastian Bach Vor deinen Thron tret ich BWV 668 Johann Sebastian Bach Andrew Watts, counter-tenor, and Nicholas Daniel, oboe, with the Orchestra, perform THE HIDDEN FACE IDE not Thy face. Hide not Thy face H for oppression is hard upon me. Hide not Thy Face. Answer me, quickly draw near to my soul and avenge it. Hide not Thy Face. May Thy help raise me up. See her all ye lowly and rejoice. Seek God and your soul shall live. Hide not Thy Face,… for oppression… Answer… quickly draw near… and avenge… May Thy Help… Hide not thy face. John Tavener (1996) 5 Patricia Rozario OBE, soprano, with the Orchestra, performs ETERNITY’S SUNRISE O see a World in a Grain of Sand, TAlleluia He who kisses the joy as it flies, And a Heaven in a Wild Flower, Alleluia Lives in Eternity’s sunrise. Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand Alleluia He who kisses the joy as it flies, And Eternity in an hour, Alleluia Lives in Eternity’s sunrise. John Tavener (1998) William Blake (1757–1827) Thomas Gould, violin, and the Orchestra play Adagio in E K 261 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–91) An organ fanfare is sounded. All stand. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales is received at the West Gate, and is conducted to his place in Quire. Hymns covered by Christian Copyright Licensing (Europe) Ltd are reproduced under CCL no 1040271. 6 ORDER OF SERVICE All remain standing. The Choir sings THEY ARE ALL GONE INTO THE WORLD OF LIGHT HEY are all gone into the world of light! TAnd I alone sit ling’ring here; I see them walking in an air of glory, Whose light doth trample on my days: My days, which are at best but dull and hoary, Mere glimmering and decays. Dear, beauteous Death! the jewel of the just, Shining nowhere, but in the dark; Could man outlook that mark! And into glory peep. Either disperse these mists, which blot and fill My perspective still as they pass: Or else remove me hence unto that hill, Where I shall need no glass. John Tavener (2011) Henry Vaughan (1621–95) 7 All remain standing to sing THE HYMN during which the Collegiate Procession moves to places in Quire and the Sacrarium HRIST is made the sure foundation, C and the precious corner-stone, who, the two walls underlying, bound in each, binds both in one, holy Sion’s help for ever, and her confidence alone. All that dedicated city, dearly loved by God on high, in exultant jubilation pours perpetual melody, God the One, in threefold glory, singing everlastingly. To this temple, where we call thee, come, O Lord of hosts, today; with thy wonted loving-kindness, hear thy people as they pray; and thy fullest benediction shed within its walls for ay. Laud and honour to the Father; laud and honour to the Son, laud and honour to the Spirit, ever Three, and ever One, consubstantial, co-eternal, while unending ages run. Amen. Westminster Abbey 205 NEH Latin, c 7th–8th century Henry Purcell (1659–95) translated by John Mason Neale (1818–66) Organist of Westminster Abbey 1679–95 and compilers of AMR from O God, thou art my God 8 All remain standing. The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster, gives THE BIDDING E have bidden the Lord of hosts come this day to Westminster WAbbey, this earthly temple, that we may know the glory of Christ our sure foundation. But our eyes are misted by our earthly perspective; we see as through a glass darkly. We come to worship God and to give thanks for the many gifts we have received through the life of John Tavener, for the beauty of his music, for the clarity of his vision of heaven, and for his share in the creative work of God the Creator and Father of all. As we commend John’s immortal soul to the care and keeping of almighty God, may we have faith that one day we shall see Him face to face and shall know Him who knows and loves us as we are known by Him. May we lead our lives in the light of God’s glory. All remain standing. The Choir sings KYRIE ELEISON YRIE eleison. Lord, have mercy. KChriste eleison. Christ, have mercy. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. Tomás Luis de Victoria (c 1548–1611) Officium defunctorum 1605 The Dean says: Let us pray. ERCIFUL Father, hear our prayers and comfort us; renew our trust M in your Son, whom you raised from the dead; strengthen our faith that John and all who have died in the love of Christ will share in his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, now and for ever. Amen. All sit. Steven Isserlis CBE, cello, plays THRENOS John Tavener (1990) 9 Simon Russell Beale CBE reads from the Great Lectern ISAIAH 35 HE wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice Tand blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.
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