Scottish Ensemble - Tavener: Tears of the Angels - The Standard

John Tavener will be forever be known to most as the composer of Song for Athene, synonymous with Princess Diana's funeral, and his latest album 'Tears of the Angels' is no less spiritual.

The BT Scottish Ensemble accompany director and violinist Clio Gould, and soprano Patricia Rozario, on a work which can be frightening as it is beautiful.

The middle-eastern tinged Depart in Peace gives way to the 16 eye-catching segments of My Gaze Is Ever Upon you, before closing with mysterious Tears of the Angels.

Tavener is a musical intellectual and there are many erudite facets to Tears of the Angels, but it is not necessary to fully understand the details to enjoy this exquisite album.