John Tavener - Steven Isserlis, London Symphony Orchestra, Gennadi Rozhdestvensky ‎– The Protecting Veil

John Tavener - Steven Isserlis, London Symphony Orchestra, Gennadi Rozhdestvensky ‎– The Protecting Veil

John Tavener - The Protecting Veil is a deeply spiritual and meditative recording that stands as one of the most profound works in contemporary classical music. Performed by the renowned cellist Steven Isserlis alongside the London Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, this release captures the transcendent beauty and stillness at the heart of John Tavener’s music.

The Protecting Veil itself is a monumental work for cello and orchestra, inspired by the Eastern Orthodox feast of the same name. Across eight movements, it traces key moments in the life of the Virgin Mary, unfolding as a continuous, contemplative journey. Tavener’s signature style - slow-moving, luminous, and spiritually charged - allows the solo cello to act as a voice of devotion, floating above rich, sustained orchestral textures.

Isserlis’ performance is both intimate and expansive, capturing the emotional depth and purity required for this music. The result is a recording that feels timeless - less a traditional concert piece and more a sacred experience in sound.

The album is further enriched by Benjamin Britten’s Third Suite for Cello, Op. 87, a work of stark beauty and introspection. In contrast to Tavener’s flowing mysticism, Britten’s suite explores a more fragmented and reflective landscape, drawing on Russian themes and showcasing the expressive range of the solo cello.

Closing the collection is Tavener’s Thrinos, a haunting and minimal solo work that brings the album full circle - returning to a space of quiet reflection and spiritual resonance.

Elegant, contemplative, and deeply moving, The Protecting Veil is essential listening for fans of modern classical music, sacred compositions, and the expressive power of the cello.

Tracklist:

The Protecting Veil
1 The Protecting Veil
2 The Nativity Of The Mother Of God
3 The Annunciation
4 The Incarnation
5 The Lament Of The Mother Of God At The Cross
6 The Resurrection
7 The Dormition
8 The Protecting Veil

Third Suite For Cello, Op. 87
9 Introduzione: Lento
10 Marcia: Allegro
11 Canto: Con Moto
12 Dialogo: Allegretto
13 Fuga: Andante Espressivo
14 Moto Perpetuo: Presto
15 Passacaglia: Lento Solenne
16 Mournful Song (Under The Little Apple Tree): Molto Semplice
17 Autumn: Vivace
18 Street Song (The Grey Eagle): Pesante
19 Grant Repose Together With The Saints: Lento

20 Thrinos (For Solo Cello)