Song for Athene

Composed to commemorate the tragic death of actress Athene Hariades. The opening 'Alleluia' reflects Tavener's devotion to the Eastern Orthodox faith, while the quotation from the final scene of Hamlet, 'flights of angels sing thee to thy rest'', brings Hariades' profession to the foreground. The combined effect is of extreme simplicity and emotional purity. The work was performed as the recessional Hymn at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997. Baritone solo Andrew Rupp.
BBC Music Magazine. Choice of the Month; Gramophone: 'Tenebrae, whose beauty of sound is matched by clarity of distinction'.