THE PROTECTING VEIL WITH GUY JOHNSTON AT ST SOPHIA'S ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL
Performers
- Guy Johnston
- cello
- Thomas Gould
- violin / director
- Britten Sinfonia
- Members of Hagia Sophia Choir
- George Zacharias
- choir director
Programme
- A selection of Orthodox liturgical music, including the 6th century Kontakion to Theotokos, sung by members of Hagia Sophia Choir
- Tavener
- The Protecting Veil
Experience a special performance of John Tavener’s timeless classic in the intimate and atmospheric Greek Orthodox cathedral where he worshipped.
John Tavener often worshipped in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Divine Wisdom in Bayswater – a sparkling neo-Byzantine gem from the 1880s, modelled on Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia.
Normally off limits to concerts, this atmospheric venue opens its doors for two special performances of Tavener’s orchestral masterpiece The Protecting Veil.
Written for solo cello and large, ecstatically-layered string orchestra, The Protecting Veil was premiered in the Royal Albert Hall at the 1989 BBC Proms and became an instant contemporary classic. Such was the success of its premiere recording that it was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize in 1992, alongside U2, Simply Red and Primal Scream.
Guy Johnston was one of the few cellists to have worked with Tavener, and this is a unique opportunity to hear the piece in this amazing space thanks to special permission granted by the Cathedral.
To put the piece in context, members of Cathedral's Hagia Sophia Choir will open the concerts, performing a selection of Orthodox liturgical music, including the sixth century Orthodox hymn dedicated to the Mother of God, Kontakion to Theotokos.
Discover more
Please note:
The performance will feature haze. It will also be filmed.
We are grateful to the Cathedral for granting special permission for these two performances to take place as Tavener was was a member of its congregation.
