Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Millennium year is looking significant in the career of Sir John Tavener. If anybody noticed, he provided the musical soundtrack for the closing minutes of 1999 at The Dome. And then came 'Fall And Resurrection' which may come to be seen as his magnum opus. First the roll of honour for those involved in this recording, the world premiere from St Paul's Cathedral: the soloists are Patricia Rozario (soprano), Michael Chance (counter-tenor), Martyn Hill (psaltis) and Stephen Richardson (bass); and then we have the BBC Singers, the Choir of St Paul's and the City Of London Symphonia, all directed by Richard Hickox. It is to his credit that this large ensemble is handled so well that the challenges presented in Tavener's music are overcome to glorious effect. Yes, this is difficult music because the composer is painting an immense scene. Like a musical mystery play we move from the silence before time began through to the creation, and on into the Garden where we witness the fall. All of this is Part One. Part Two suggests the message of the prophets and psalmists as they look forward to the incarnation, which we reach in Part Three. The words, compiled by Mother Thekla, drop like depth charges into the ocean of music and the result is a glimpse of Heaven.

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