John Tavener: Memorial Evensong, Sculpture Unveiling & Study Day in Winchester
30th October 2016
Memorial Evensong
A Memorial Evensong will take place at 5.30pm, sung by the Choir of Winchester Cathedral, conducted by their Director of Music Andrew Lumsden. Soprano Patricia Rozario and duduk player Dirk Campbell will begin and end the service with short extracts from the all-night vigil The Veil of the Temple. Other repertoire includes Tavener's Preces & Responses and his Magnificat (Collegium Regale) coupled with his second setting of the Nunc Dimittis. The anthem, They are all gone into the world of light, sets a text by the English metaphysical poet Henry Vaughan. Many of these pieces have not previously been performed at Winchester Cathedral.
All are welcome to attend.
Sculpture Unveiling
Following the Evensong, a reception will take place for invited guests, at which Lady Tavener will unveil a specially commissioned sculpture to commemorate Tavener, created by Angela Conner, with letter carving by Tom Perkins. The sculpture will be permanently installed in the Cathedral's south presbytery aisle, near the frieze of Fyodorof icons in the retrochoir.
Angela Conner is one of Britain’s most prolific sculptors who, for over 40 years, has created Europe’s largest mobile sculptures as well as acclaimed portraits. Conner’s sculptures feature in public and private collections worldwide. Conner comments:
'John Tavener spoke to me several times about the beautiful symbolism water provides. This gave me the inspiration to work with the nearest sculptural material to flowing water - molten glass. This element is also reflected in the Greek palindrome, which translates to "Cleanse your sins, not only your face". Water is such a classical symbol for cleansing. John’s work will flow on into the future and become part of the history of spiritual music.'
At the unveiling the countertenor Andrew Watts and viol consort Fretwork will perform Tavener's Nipson, a work which sets the same Greek palindromic text featured in the sculpture: 'Nipson anomēmata mē monan opsin' ('Νίψον ἀνομήματα, μὴ μόναν ὄψιν'), meaning 'Cleanse your sins, not only your face'.
Study Day at The Tavener Centre for Music and Spirituality
Tavener’s creative relationship with the Cathedral and its choir was established in the 1970s and continues to this day. His link with the University of Winchester was established in 2007 with the award of an Honorary Doctorate. The Tavener Centre for Music and Spirituality at the University exists as a result of collaborative meetings between the Dean of Winchester Cathedral, the Reverend Professor June Boyce-Tillman of the University of Winchester, Andrew Lumsden, Organist and Director of Music at Winchester Cathedral, and Lady Tavener.
The study day is set to explore how music and spirituality can contribute to a richer understanding of the complexity of life and culture. The programme includes talks and performances covering topics such as Tavener’s music, music and ecstasy, music and stillness, music and cosmos and jazz. Practitioners from disciplines including music, theology and religious studies are taking part, as well as clergy and leaders of music in liturgical settings. Book a place
Tavener Foundation
The Tavener Foundation has been created with the following aims: to promote knowledge and appreciation of music in general and to advance the exploration of the life and work of John Tavener, through educational and cultural activities; to advance the development of religious and cultural harmony through music, and to establish and maintain a Tavener archive as a resource of national heritage.
Please contact Kate Johnson for further details
Kate Johnson | Communications & Projects Director, Music Sales Limited
kate.johnson@musicsales.co.uk
For the Winchester Cathedral Media & Communications office contact Simon Barwood
simon.barwood@winchester-cathedral.org.uk | 07968 549 628
