for Violin, Chorus and Orchestra
plus
an exclusive 10-miniute interview with Sir John Tavener himself, discussing the Ikon of Eros
Jorja Fleezanis, violin - Patricia Rosario, soprano
Tim Krol, baritone
Minnesota Orchestra, Paul Goodwin, conductor
Recorded: April 2-3, 2003 at Cathedral of Saint Paul, Minnesota
RR-102CD
[HDCD]
Tavener's dedication: “To the Blessed Country of Greece, who through her landscape and her Holy Orthodox Faith has shown me something of the Divine Eros.”
One of today's most celebrated composers, Sir John Tavener has earned a huge following worldwide for the combination of spiritual mysticism, reverent yearning and passion that suffuses all of his music. This work, originated as a commission for Jorja Fleezanis, concertmistress of the Minnesota Orchestra, on the occasion of the orchestra's Centennial, is scored for five groups of performers: solo violin, solo soprano, and dholak (a doubleheaded cylindrical drum); Greek psaltist (or cantor), mixed chorus, and very large Tibetan temple bowl and very large tamtam; two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, small Tibetan temple bowl, very large tamtam, and dholak; four horns, four trumpets, three tenor trombones and bass trombone, large Tibetan temple bowl, and very large tamtam; medium Tibetan temple bowl, very large tamtam, dholak, and strings. Ikon of Eros expresses a moving interplay between the forces of the orchestra, depicting aspects of the Divine Spirit, and the violin, representing the “Divine Eros” - “our longing for God and His longing for us.” The music speaks deeply to a universal longing for love, peace, transcendence that unite all faiths. Prof. Johnson's recording amazingly captures the enveloping sound of the massed orchestra, choir and soloists in magnificent acoustics of the Cathedral of Saint Paul, MN, creating a transcendent musical and audio experience.
|
Related back catalog on Reference Recordings featuring Eiji Oue & the Minnesota Orchestra RR-100 - von Stade sings Argento RR-99 - Reveries: Various Composers RR-96 - Rachmaninoff RR-95 - Respighi RR-93 - Copland 100 RR-92 - Bolero! RR-91 - Valentino Dances RR-88 - Mahler - Das Lied RR-87 - Bernstein RR-83 - Richard Strauss RR-82 - Mephisto & Co. RR-80 - Ports of Call RR-79 - Pictures at an Exhibition RR-71 - Exotic Dances RR-70 - Stravinsky |
|
SIR JOHN TAVENER IKON OF EROS 1 17:26 2 7:48 3 15:53 4 19:50 5 Sir John Tavener in interview with Brian Newhouse. 10:45 courtesy of Minnesota Public Radio Total Time: 72:03 |
Reference Recordings are distributed in Australia by Rockian Trading