- Performer: Patricia Rozario, Andrew Manze, George Mosley, Julia Gooding
- Orchestra: Academy of Ancient Music, Academy of Ancient Music Chorus
- Conductor: Paul Goodwin
- Composer: John Tavener
- Audio CD (1 May 1999)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Harmonia Mundi
- ASIN: B00000IFRT
- Other Editions: MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 118,591 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
John Tavener and the Academy of Ancient Music seem like an unlikely pairing at first glance. Renowned composer of minimalist, New Agey (either a good thing or a bad thing, depending entirely on the listener's point of view) sacred vocal music meets renowned period- instrument orchestra, who are more normally to be found revelling in the vibrant multicoloured textures of Bach or Haydn. With the addition of sensitive soloists and a small choir, though, the collaboration is certainly intriguing, and quite often successful. Although the album's titular Eternity's Sunrise is the only piece specifically written for the group, the leaner sound of the Academy's forces bring a sparse dignity to all the works here, notably the astringent serialism of the Sappho Fragments in which the two soprano voices insinuate themselves among the instruments. At nearly 24 minutes, the concluding Funeral Canticle outstays its welcome (it's actually a conflation of two shorter works) but the other pieces work well individually. In truth, the album--like everything by Tavener--is a showcase for his long-breathed vocal lines, and they always take precedence over the instrumental backing, which is largely monochromatic anyway. So if not exactly a demonstration of what the Academy of Ancient Music do best, Eternity's Sunrise is at least a convincing example of their versatility. The recording in London's Temple Church imbues the music with a warm, ecclesiastical glow. As a whole, it may strike listeners as either an hour of blissful serenity or just too much of the same. --Mark Walker
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Eternity's Sunrise is Tavener's third Blake setting, after The Lamb (1982) and The Tiger (1987). It is tbe best thing on this CD, and is one of the best things he's ever done. Indeed, I find it so moving that I almost dread listening to it (if that's not some sort of oxymoron!). An awesome piece of music, featuring Patricia Rozario on scintillating form.
Of the other pieces, Song of the Angel is a five minute version of Tears of the Angels, from the CD of the same name (also brilliant), while Petra: A Ritual Dream is a wonderful setting of a poem by Seferis.
This is apparently Sir John's favourite of his own CDs. On the basis of the first three tracks, I would have to agree. The last two pieces are good, but it is the first three that form the heart and soul of this album.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This CD is remarkable. Four pieces are Tavener at his usual best, with harmonious apparently simple flowing sounds, melodies isn't quite right, as his music is more than melody - more like gentle fluid harmony.
I have to admit that I have a different aspect here, and this is that I love Sappho nearly as much as I love Tavener. So imagine my disappointment when my favourite composer set my favourite poet and the result is, to my ear, discordant and screechy. I fully admit that I probably don't understand what Tavener is getting at, and I will keep listening until either I understand or come to the conclusion that I will never understand, but such initial disappointment was painful.
The rest of the music on this CD is as wonderful as Tavener is ever, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. In a way, it's almost an ideal disc - plenty of excellently performed what you know with a challenging piece thrown in to keep you on your toes. Do buy it, but be prepared for a challenge.
Format:Audio CD
Eternity's sunrise, the first track on the album, is to my mind stunning, it alone is worth the price of the whole album. Its kind of operatic (but in a mystical way) like the chants d'auvergne. And, Rosario sings stunningly. The only track on the album that I thought was not up to the same standard was the Funeral Canticle. I felt at more than 20 minutes, it went on too long and did not have enough musical ideas to sustain it. I thought the Sappho piece with its Berg like orchestration was striking. I only wish that Tavener had followed this approach more often in his work because it is quite an eerie work. The violin accompaniments in some of the pieces were particularly special.
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