Search - John Tavener, Jeremy Summerly, Peter Crawford :: John Tavener: Lament for Jerusalem

John Tavener, Jeremy Summerly, Peter Crawford
John Tavener: Lament for Jerusalem
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (14) - Disc #1
1. Stanza I
2. Cosmic Lament I
3. Stanza II
4. Cosmic Lament II
5. Stanza III
6. Cosmic Lament III
7. Stanza IV
8. Cosmic Lament IV
9. Stanza V
10. Cosmic Lament V
11. Stanza VI
12. Cosmic Lament VI
13. Stanza VII
14. Cosmic Lament VII

CD Details

All Artists: John Tavener, Jeremy Summerly, Peter Crawford, Angharad Gruffydd Jones
Title: John Tavener: Lament for Jerusalem
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Naxos
Original Release Date: 1/1/2006
Re-Release Date: 3/21/2006
Genre: Classical
Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Chamber Music, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830)
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 747313282623

Synopsis

Amazon.com

This recording is a call for rejoicing for Tavener fans. Even those who have found his music turgid in the past might be taken with the austere beauty of the Lament. It refers to Jesus' lament as he looks over Jerusalem realizing that it has rejected God's messengers. The text brings together Christian, Judaic, and Islamic texts and are sung in English and Greek. The choir alternates with countertenor and soprano. While the work relies heavily on thematic repetition, the effect is devout and introspective rather than static, and Tavener's strong changes in dynamics and textures keeps the ear engaged; indeed the ear catches the differences, rather than the samenesses. It is a work that requires patience, and Tavener's piety can seem overwhelming and preachy, but there is great beauty to be found here. The performances of soloists, choir and orchestra under Jeremy Summerly are exuisite and graceful; in particular, counter-tenor Peter Crawford handles his high, melismatic passages beautifully. --Robert Levine

CD Reviews

Tavener Fans rejoice, indeed.

Lorin Kee | Thompson's Station, TN United States | 07/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I like the description on the back of the album:

"it is both a cri de coeur at the loss of peace in a place where religions once co-existed in harmony, and an affirmation of the power of love to bring together all 'who seek God, from whatever tradition they come'". Thus, Tavener's work remains more spiritual/mystical than "religious".

It is a beautiful album. The transcendent highs at the end of every Lament are somewhat reminiscent of Tavener's Funeral Canticle. Darkness into Light will always be my favorite Tavener album. However, I'm sure this one will take its place near the top."

Lovely Choral Writing

R. Albin | Ann Arbor, Michigan United States | 02/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very handsome piece of choral music. The format and style may strike some as somewhat undifferentiated but I think this work repays careful listening and the music has considerable power. The choral singing is excellent and the soloists are first rate."

Made me an instant Tavener fan

Eric S. Kim | Southern California | 11/22/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Lament for Jerusalem" is the first CD that I ever bought from Tavener. And it certainly won't be the last (I'm now looking forward to "Ikon of Eros," "The Protecting Veil," etc.). I started to fall in love with this piece the moment the choir sang the first few words on the first track. "Lament For Jerusalem" consists of seven cycles; all of them contain a 'stanza' and a 'cosmic lament'. The basic structure to each cycle is repetitive: the basic orchestration is the same. But once we get through the first few cycles, then we get a stronger and more concrete emotion for the English/Greek text. The last cycle brings about one of the most powerful piece of music I've ever heard. It ranks with Stravinsky's "Symphony of Psalms" and Brahms's "German Requiem" as powerful choral music. I can't wait to hear some more of Tavener's work."