Tavener: Total Eclipse/Agraphon

Total Eclipse explores both religious and musical elements, combining them to illustrate the idea of metanoia, or conversion, which is Tavener's focus here. The piece, a single movement in four parts, is structured using the conversion of St. Paul as a platform. The requested stage positioning of the instruments, voices, and choir plays a significant role in symbolizing Saul's transformation, which--while the aural-spatial landscaping is captured quite well in this recording--can only be truly experienced in a live performance (the work was premiered at St. Paul's Cathedral in June 2000).

A soprano saxophone (representing Saul), at times wailing with Coltrane-esque intensity (to "be played in a deliberately anarchic manner"), at other times questioning softly, is beautifully and appropriately pitted against the period instruments of the Early Music ensemble with a near chilling effect. In addition to the sax, Tavener--outside his now familiar simple use of harmony--employs several newer compositional techniques and instrumentation: the work embraces improvisation, microtonal textures, Far Eastern percussion instruments, and an earth-shattering ensemble of 19 tympani. Also on this disc is Agraphon, a setting of the poem by the Greek poet Angelos Sikelianos. It was commissioned by the Athens Concert Hall, and also features Rozario. --W.T. Arnold