• 13-digit ISBN: 978-1-84379-279-6
• Barcode: 9781843792796
• Approximate length: 15,000 words
• Formats: iPad/iPhone (enhanced)

Sir John Tavener was a unique, controversial and ever-evolving figure on the contemporary music scene in the late sixties. Although his music was strongly influenced by the Eastern Orthodox Church for twenty years, he started to move in a new direction. This e-book includes a representative cross-section of his music, including the world premiere of Prayer of the Heart, written for and sung by Björk, and part of his most popular work The Protecting Veil. The composer himself also spoke in detail for the first time about his sources of inspiration, and reminisces about his early career, his passions, and his struggles with serious illness. Combined with a comprehensive essay, this portrait paints the definitive picture of one of the most charismatic and important composers today.

About the Author

David McCleery studied music at Manchester University and after various jobs with orchestras, artists’ agencies and festivals, he joined Chester Music and Novello music publishers where he developed a keen interest in working with composers, including John Tavener, Richard Rodney Bennett and Thea Musgrave. That interest continues today, although he has moved to the field of media music and works for a management company for film and television composers. He also undertakes freelance writing projects and for Naxos he has also written A Portrait of John Tavener as well as the Twentieth-Century edition of the ‘Discover’ series.