John Tavener/ The Veil of the Temple (for soprano, chorus, boys’ chorus, brass, temple bowls, tamtam, temple bells, organ & Indian harmonium)
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The Veil of the Temple
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The Veil of the Temple is a piece of choral music by British composer Sir John Tavener. Identified by Tavener as « the supreme achievement of my life », it is set for four choirs, several orchestras and soloists and lasts at least seven hours. It is based on text from a number of religions, and received its world premiere performance at the Temple Church, London in June 2003.
Structure
The piece is split into eight cycles. The first seven follow the same structure, with each cycle being a higher key than the previous. For example, Cycles I to VII open with a soprano solo. This is then followed by a setting of the kyrie in either English or the original Greek. Successive cycles add additional musical complexity and words to each movement, with the result that cycle I takes about 20 minutes to perform, but cycle VII takes 1.5 hours.
Cycles I to VII use the following structure:
Title Section Sung by Notes
Mystical Love Song of the Sufis Solo soprano
Primordial Call Kyrie 1 Choir
God’s Creation Tohu, Vohu, Tahem. Logos Choir, with soloists
In the beginning Solo bass
Kyrie 2 Choir
You mantle yourself in light. Choir
Kyrie 3 Choir
Outside the Gates of Paradise O Blessed Paradise Choir, with soloists
Kyrie 4 Choir
What God is. Choir
Kyrie 5 Choir
Our Father Lords Prayer Choir
Kyrie 6 Choir
Holy Mary O Mary Theotokos. Choir
Hail, O Mother of God! Choir
Here I stand now praying. Choir
In thee rejoiceth. Choir Cycles V to VII only
Awed by the beauty Choir Cycles V to VII only
Alleelouia 1 Choir Cycles V to VII only
Kyrie 7 Choir
Alleluia. Theos Erastos Alleelouia 2 Choir
Kyrie 8 Basses
Kyrie 9 Choir
Gospel of St John Gospel of John Solo Bass
Alleelouia 3 Choir
Thrice-Holy Hymn – Resurrection Te re rem. Choir Not cycle VII
Agios ischyros. Choir Not cycle VII
Have mercy on me, O God. Choir Not cycle VII
Agios Athanatos 1 Choir Not cycle VII
In Thy kingdom remember us, O Lord. Choir Not cycle VII
Beatitudes of St. Isaac the Syrian The Beatitudes single voice part Not cycle VII
Ágiós Athánatos 2 Choir Not cycle VII
Christos anestee Choir Not cycle VII
Psalm Solo Bass Not cycle VII
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