Composer

:

John Tavener

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1987

Average_duration

:

42:07

Movement_count

:

8

Movement ....

The Protecting Veil is a composition for cello and orchestra, composed by John Tavener in 1987. It was premiered on 27th May 1989 at the Royal Festival Hall in London, with Steven Isserlis as the soloist and the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gennady Rozhdestvensky. The piece is divided into eight movements, each of which is named after a different aspect of the Virgin Mary. The first movement, "The Protecting Veil," sets the tone for the entire piece, with the cello playing a long, sustained melody that represents the veil of the Virgin Mary. The second movement, "The Nativity of the Mother of God," is a lively and joyful celebration of the birth of Mary. The third movement, "The Annunciation," is a quiet and contemplative piece that reflects the moment when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her that she would give birth to Jesus. The fourth movement, "The Incarnation," is a powerful and dramatic piece that represents the moment when Jesus was born. The fifth movement, "The Lament of the Mother of God," is a mournful and sorrowful piece that reflects the pain and suffering that Mary experienced as she watched her son die on the cross. The sixth movement, "The Resurrection," is a triumphant and joyful piece that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. The seventh movement, "The Dormition," is a peaceful and serene piece that reflects the moment when Mary died and was taken up into heaven. The final movement, "The Protecting Veil," is a reprise of the first movement, with the cello once again playing the long, sustained melody that represents the veil of the Virgin Mary. The Protecting Veil is characterized by its use of slow, sustained melodies and its emphasis on the spiritual and mystical aspects of Christianity. Tavener was deeply influenced by the Eastern Orthodox Church, and this is reflected in the use of Byzantine chant and other Eastern musical traditions in the piece. The Protecting Veil has become one of Tavener's most popular and beloved works, and it continues to be performed and recorded by orchestras and soloists around the world.

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