TAVENER: Choral Icons – The Choir (DVD) OPUS ARTE

Tavener: Choral Ikons (The Choir)

The Choir (Choir); James Whitbourn (Conductor);

The Choir sings Sir John Tavener’s hauntingly beautiful unaccompanied choral music in a stunning virtual reality restoration of the ancient Hagia Sophia church in Constantinople. Orthodox ikons enrich the visual tapestry, enhancing the full richness of Tavener’s mystic inspiration.

“The power of the performances is overwhelming and the credit goes to James Whitbourn and his vocal ensemble The Choir that he created for the express purpose of television and DVD recordings for Opus Arte. The Choir sing Tavener’s music with great understanding and sensitivity to the religious texts. This DVD captures every beauteous moment of Tavener’s music with The Choir. Opus Arte, as in all their productions, never leave you second-guessing about the music with their investigative extra features that bring further insight upon the chosen subject…The ikon chooses you which, together with an illustrated booklet containing an in-depth article on the inspirational power of ikons as well as the vocal texts and an introduction by Tavener himself, round off this beautifully presented package.” (The Organ)

“The dedication behind all the pieces is very clear, each of them introduced visually by an ikon or an ikon-like illustration. A fine DVD prèmiere for Tavener’s music.” (The Penguin Guide)

“The acoustic engineers have had a field day, adding heaps of background resonance to the singing of a young group which rejoices in the self-explanatory name of The Choir.” (BBC Music Magazine)

Extra features
Manifestations of God’ – Sir John Tavener on his choral music. The parents of Athene talk about the inspiration behind Song for Athene. ‘The Ikon Chooses You’ – Ikon expert Robert J. Roozemond on spiritual and artistic origins of ikons. Illustrated booklet with an introduction by Sir John Tavener, plus full song texts.