This work for unaccompanied double choir (SATBSATB) was commissioned by the Summer Music Society of Dorset. It was first performed in May 1989 at Sherborne Abbey Dorset by the Tallis Scholars conducted by PeterPhillips.Tavener:The remarkable text by Clement of Alexandria inspired this piece for double choir. From the stand point of today when I take a perennialist and therefore universalist stance concerning all the main greatreligious traditions this text is very close to my heart as is also the music. The opening theme sung by the two choirs forms the basis of the whole work. Bold simple massive and ecstatic in character I hope that this workrestores something of a Gnostic dimension to Christianity the loss of which could be said to be one of the greatest tragedies of Christianity in the West.
