Allah's Names Inspire UK Composer


IslamOnline.net & Newspapers

CAIRO — The 99 names of Allah has inspired veteran British composer John Tavener to create his new classical soundtrack "The Beautiful Names," to be played on Tuesday, June 19, in Westminster Cathedral.

"All I can say is, it’s a wonderful text — basically a list of names, some of majesty, some of mercy — that I’ve set as theophanies: as soundings-forth on the nature of the divine, with music that reflects their meaning. The Beneficent, the Opener, the Subtle," Tavener told The New York Times on Sunday, June 17.

Tavener, who was first catapulted to fame for his "Song for Athene" soundtrack that accompanied the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997, said it took him years to bring the "Beautiful Names" to the light.

"It has simply taken that long to fit together the large forces the piece requires, which include the Westminster Cathedral Choir, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, the baritone soloist John Mark Ainsley and of course the powwow drum, which is ceremonially struck every 99 beats: one beat for every name," he added.

The new soundtrack has been commission by Prince Charles.
Tavener, who devotes his life and work to God, shares Prince Charles deep spiritual interest in religion.
The Prince of Wales is a staunch advocate of bridging the gap between Islam and Christianity.
Through his several speeches on Islam and the West, he has stressed the need for the two to live and work together.