John Tavener
Publisher: Chester Music
The World is Burning (1993)
commissioned by the Monteverdi Choir for its 30th anniversary
Publisher
Chester Music Ltd
Category
Chorus a cappella / Chorus plus 1 instrument
Solo Instrument(s)
Solo voices from the choir
Programme Note
Like a relentless Greek tragedy the world (main choir) makes its cosmic lamentation ‘the world is burning’, without any apparent sense of the transcendent presence.
Interspersed are prayers and reproaches crying out to God for help (solo group: counter tenor, tenor and bass). But, salvation is come. And though the world is crying for help, the world is already saved. Its “faith” (the voice of Christ), however miserably poor, has saved it. So, in a way – all is separate (salvation – damnation- agony). And all is one inside the Saviour.
In the final bars, it seems as if the message of Christ has finally permeated. ‘The world is burning’ is no longer a relentless Greek tragedy. The Transfiguration has happened, however briefly.
‘Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise’ (St Luke 23, 43).
John Tavener
1993
Ensemble
Monteverdi Choir
Conductor
Sir John Eliot Gardiner