Meet the composer behind the protecting veil


Sir John Tavener's reputation is currently passing through the obligatory lacanu between youthful marketability and mature authority. His new website, which is being developed ahead of his 70th birthday celebrations in 2014, is a timely reminder that a composer can be relevant without being fashionable.

The music of Sir John Tavener, Michael Tippett and Sofia Gubaidulina can be heard in a BBC Prom given by the Britten Sinfonia and BBC Singers on September 3. Pity though that this bold piece of programming is consigned to the off-peak Proms new music ghetto.

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