John Tavener, Yo-Yo Ma - The Protecting Veil / Wake Up ... And Die

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Free Music Notes for The Protecting Veil / Wake Up ... And Die

Free Music Review: Masterpiece of Beauty
Hit: 5 Stars

I have to comment on the previous review and point out that this style of music, known popularly as "holy minimalism", is quite different from the Enlightenment-era Western music that most people study in school (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven etc.). The composer is intentionally keeping it simple and somewhat directionless because he seeks to reunite classical music with contemplative spirituality. Whereas in traditional classical music you expect to hear development of musical ideas moving forward to a climactic conclusion, this music seems to go nowhere - and that is intentional. The purpose is contemplation, not activity. The music is meditative, hypnotic, and gently repetitive, as in the tradition of centering prayer one might continuously repeat a word or two from Scripture to be drawn deeper into prayer. The gentle repetition gives the music a feeling of stasis, of being suspended in time.

It is quite common for people who are unfamiliar with the genre to make comments like "simplistic," since compared to more familiar styles it might come across that way. Tavener rejects complexity in favor of simplicity. This music is transparent, austere, and serene; you could easily compare its style to an Orthodox icon. If you are open to something new, you may find that this poignant beauty and simplicity touches a deep inner reservoir of joy and sorrow.

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