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Artist News
Composer John Tavener dies
By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 13 November 2013
Classical composer John Tavener has died, aged 69. He had suffered numerous health issues relating to Marfan Syndrome, a disorder of the body’s connective tissues, which can cause heart problems.
A leading composer since his early 20s in the late 1960s, early recordings of Tavener’s work were released by The Beatles’ Apple label. His arrangement of William Blake’s 1789 poem ‘The Lamb’ is often performed as a Christmas carol, and another of his piece’s, ‘Song For Athene’, was performed at the funeral of Princess Diana. More recently, he worked with Björk on the piece ‘Prayer Of The Heart’.
The news of his death was announced on the website of Tavener’s publisher Chester Music. The company’s Managing Director James Rushton said in a statement: “John Tavener was one of the unique and most inspired voices in music of the last 50 years. His large body of work – dramatic, immediate, haunting, remaining long in the memory of all who have heard it, and always identifiably his – is one of the most significant contributions to classical music in our times. For all of those fortunate enough to have known him, John was a man of strong beliefs, huge personal warmth, loyalty and humour. He will be much missed”.
Tavener is survived by his wife Maryanna and their three children.
