Since 2001 Tavener has broadened his spiritual horizons and, through the influence of the poet, philosopher and mystic Frithjof Schuon, embraced the Universalist view where all religions are seen as equally valid. In some of his recent projects (The Veil of the Temple) Tavener has added Hinduism, Islam and Sufism to his catalogue of influences. However, it is the Eternal Feminine that has been a recurring theme in many of his sacred works since A Canticle to the Mother of God appeared in 1976. Nearly thirty years later Ex Maria Virgine, completed in 2005, is in one sense another part of this succession of Mary-inspired works. Of this new Christmas sequence the composer says, ’I have set both familiar and less well known texts, and linked them with an expanding and contracting phrase 'Ex Maria Virgine’. This refers to Mary the Mother of God—‘The Eternal Feminine—and it should be sung with great radiance and femininity.’
This expanding idea also serves as a structural device and provides a reminder of Christ’s humanity symbolised by the Virgin Mary. Tavener sets Verbum caro factum est to a unison theme, conspicuous for its irregular phrase patterns and poignant chromaticism, over a characteristic organ pedal. This serene mood is swept aside for the invigorating Nowell! Nowell! Out of your Sleep where the staccato articulation in the unaccompanied verses is exhilarating and urgent. A palindromic organ part underpins the choir in each refrain. Reflection and exuberance coexist in the bittersweet harmonies of Remember O Thou Man where the return of the first haunting phrase between ecstatic outbursts of the angel’s joy reminds us of our own transience and God’s promise to us. In Sweet was the Song radiant organ trills convey Mary’s joy, and smooth choral textures (with their hidden palindromes) underline the Virgin’s grace and femininity. By contrast, the more masculine and visceral rhythms of Ave Rex Angelorum, marked to be sung with a wild, primordial joy, evoke God’s might. Gentler, flowing phrases express Mary’s purity in There is no Rose where four-part canons (sung by sopranos and tenors) carry the five verses of this medieval carol. Tavener returns to the earlier dance-like mood and staccato articulation for Ding! Dong! Merrily on high, where an energetic pealing refrain is given organ support. The gentle dissonance and consoling lullaby of Rocking leads to the grandeur of Unto us is born a Son, whose granite-like verses are interspersed with celebrations of the Virgin Mary in Greek and Arabic. The sequence concludes with the return of the opening Verbum caro factum est.
Ex Maria Virgine was commissioned in 2005 by Timothy Brown and the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, with the generous support of Paul Lee, Jeff & Cheri Hunt and the Friends of Clare Choir , together with individual co-commissioners for the following carols:
Remember O Thou Man was commissioned by the Cathedral Choral Society of Washington, DC, USA, in memory of Richard Wayne Dirksen (1921-2003), fourth organist and choirmaster of Washington National Cathedral. The commission was made possible by the Richard Wayne Dirksen Memorial Endowment Fund. First performance on 15th December 2006 by the Cathedral Choral Society, Dr. J. Reilly Lewis, Music Director, at Washington National Cathedral.
There is no Rose was commissioned by the Northern Illinois University Choral Department, Eric A. Johnson, Director of Choral Activities, and the Lynne Waldeland Endowed Fund for Choral Music. First Performance on 2nd December 2007, at Northern Illinois University, by the Northern Illinois University Choir conducted by Eric A. Johnson, D.M.A.
Rocking was commissioned by the BBC for BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year, Chantage, and first performed by them at the British Composer Awards in the Glaziers Hall, London, on 5th December 2007.
Unto us is born a Son was commissioned for the choir of Saint Thomas' Church, Fifth Avenue, by Marty Myers. First performance on 23rd December 2006 at Saint Thomas' Church, Fifth Avenue, New York, by Saint Thomas' Church Choir with Jeremy S. Bruns (organ), conducted by John Scott.
Ex Maria Virgine received its first complete performance on Friday 12th December 2008, in St. John's College Chapel, Cambridge, by the Choir of Clare College Cambridge, directed by Timothy Brown.
Composer's note
In this sequence of Christmas carols I have set both familiar and less well-known texts, and linked them with an expanding and contracting phrase 'Ex Maria Virgine'. This refers to Mary the Mother of God - 'The Eternal Feminine' - and it should be sung with great radiance and femininity, for without the Blessed Virgin, the Saviour could not have become Man.
The individual carols are deliberately varied in character and should be sung, with strong contrasts. They are ecstatic, playful, contemplative and tender, becoming breifyl 'terrifying' in the third verse of Unto us is born a Son.
Ex Maria Virgine was completed on Christmas Day 2005, and it is dedicated to H.R.H. The Prince of Wales and H.R.H. The Duchess of Cornwall, in joyful celebration of their marriage.
J.T.
