Historic Performance of Tavener‘s “Veil of the Temple” Captivates Edinburgh Audience
Edinburgh, scotland – August 22, 2024 – A rare, complete performance of Sir John Tavener’s monumental choral work, “Veil of the Temple,” took place last night at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, marking only the second time the piece has been performed in its entirety since its composition over two decades ago. The event, part of the Edinburgh International Festival’s 77th season, drew critical acclaim for its ambitious scope adn the exceptional skill of the combined choral forces.
“Veil of the Temple,” completed in 2003, is a sprawling, eight-cycle work exploring themes of faith and spirituality through a unique blend of Western choral tradition and Eastern musical influences. The piece utilizes texts from the Gospels, the Lord’s Prayer in multiple languages (including Greek, Aramaic, and Sanskrit), and incorporates instrumentation rarely seen in Western classical music. Its complexity and length – the performance included a scheduled 10-minute intermission after approximately two hours – make full performances exceedingly rare.
The concert featured Swedish conductor Sofi Jeannin, recognized for her work with the BBC Singers, leading a combined ensemble of the Monteverdi Choir, the National Youth Choir of Scotland, and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, currently celebrating its 60th anniversary year. Jeannin’s direction was lauded for its meticulous attention to detail, navigating the work’s sparse instrumental score and successfully building the layered choral textures.
Beyond the choirs, the performance incorporated a diverse array of instruments: the Usher Hall organ, an Indian harmonium, a Tibetan temple horn, and percussion from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. The final, climactic eighth cycle was further enhanced by the addition of horn, brass, and timpani sections from the orchestra.
Soloists also played a vital role, with bass-baritone Florian Störtz portraying the voice of Christ and tenor Hugo Hymas delivering extended recitatives – some lasting up to 15 minutes – with remarkable expressiveness despite their ofen monophonic nature. Notable contributions also came from step-out soloists drawn from the Monteverdi Choir and the Edinburgh Festival Chorus. The National Youth Choir of Scotland was specifically highlighted for its especially strong performance in the sustained high soprano passages.
The staging, designed by Thomas Guthrie – also leading “the Alehouse Sessions” as part of the festival’s 2024 program – utilized the entirety of the Usher Hall, enhancing the ritualistic and epic quality of Tavener’s composition. The concert also marked the first at the festival to feature beanbag seating in the stalls, offering a more relaxed and immersive experience for audience members.
Evergreen Context: John Tavener and “veil of the Temple”
Sir John Tavener (1944-2013) was a highly influential British composer known for his deeply spiritual and frequently enough mystical works. He converted to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1979, and his faith profoundly shaped his musical output. Tavener’s style is characterized by its modal harmonies, use of ancient texts, and incorporation of influences from Eastern orthodox chant and other world music traditions.
“Veil of the temple” exemplifies Tavener’s signature approach.The work’s cyclical structure, repetition of textual material, and gradual unfolding of musical ideas create a meditative and immersive experience. The use of multiple languages reflects Tavener’s belief in the universality of spiritual truth. The piece’s length and demanding vocal requirements contribute to its rarity of performance, making last night’s event a notable moment for both Tavener’s admirers and the broader classical music community. The Usher Hall, seating 2,900, was approximately 85% full for the performance, according to festival organizers.
