Tavener: Piano Works - CD

ENGLISH

<P>John Tavener's piano works are less well known than his large orchestral, vocal and choral works, yet at times seem to mark his stylistic and spiritual development on a more personal level. Tavener's first piano work, <i>Palin</i>, foreshadows his search for a spirituality beyond the sophisticated, technical manipulation of musical material. The loss of his cats inspired Tavener to write <i>Mandoodles</i>, depicting short scenes from the life of his cat Mandu, and the bell-like <i>In</i> <i>Memory of Two Cats</i>. <i>Ypakoë</i>, with passages in Greek or Middle Eastern style, is a contemplative meditation on the passion and resurrection of Christ. <i>Pratiru&macr;pa</i>, Sanskrit for "reflection", is the composer's largest work so far for piano solo. In the words of the composer, in this work "a series of self-reflecting harmonies, melodies and rhythms attempt to reflect the most beautiful, the Divine Presence which resides in every human being". </P>