Composer

:

John Tavener

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Chorus

Compose Date

:

1996

Average_duration

:

5:52

"As one who has slept" is a choral work composed by John Tavener in 1999. The piece was premiered on 17th October 1999 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, conducted by Stephen Layton. The work is divided into three movements and is scored for a mixed choir, solo cello, and percussion. The first movement, "As one who has slept," is a setting of a text by St. John of the Cross. The music is slow and meditative, with the choir singing in unison for much of the movement. The solo cello provides a haunting counterpoint to the choir, while the percussion adds a sense of mystery and depth. The second movement, "The Name," is a setting of a text by Rumi. The music is more lively and rhythmic than the first movement, with the choir singing in harmony and the percussion providing a driving beat. The solo cello weaves in and out of the choral texture, adding a sense of urgency and intensity. The final movement, "The Dormition," is a setting of a text by St. John of Damascus. The music is slow and mournful, with the choir singing in harmony and the solo cello providing a mournful melody. The percussion is used sparingly, adding a sense of solemnity and reverence to the music. Overall, "As one who has slept" is a deeply spiritual work that reflects Tavener's interest in Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The music is characterized by its simplicity, with Tavener using repetition and minimalism to create a sense of timelessness and transcendence. The use of the solo cello and percussion adds a sense of earthiness and humanity to the music, while the choir provides a sense of transcendence and spirituality.

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