Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

One definition of a classic is where there are multiple recordings from which to choose, often with a variety of interpretations as well. Stephen Isserlis casts a long shadow by being the first cellist associated with what is arguably the composer's greatest instrumental work but, in this reviewer's opinion, Matthew Barley's version can stand the comparison. The other thing to look at is the rest of the programme. At three-quarters of an hour 'The Protecting Veil' was LP length but CD buyers expect at least an hour per disc. Here we pay our money and make our choice. Isserlis goes for Britten's Third Suite for Cello while Barley gives us something more left field that shines a different light on the centrepiece. We open with a poem by WB Yeats, "He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven" read by Olwyn Fouéré , then comes the main event, "The Protecting Veil" with Sinfonietta Riga directed from the cello by Matthew Barley. This is followed by another Yeats' poem, "The Mother Of God", back to Tavener with "Mother And Child", then the final poem, "World Wheel XXVII: 'I Heard The Gypsy's Violin Play'" by Frithjof Schuon read by Julie Christie and the concluding "The Song Of Separation And Waiting" by Pandit Sultan Khan with Barley being joined by Sukhvinder 'Pinky' Singh on the table. I think Sir John would have approved. However, no matter how interesting the starter and dessert may be, the musical meal stands or falls on the quality of the main dish. Above the opening notes of 'The Protecting Veil', John Tavener wrote "Transcendent With Awesome Majesty", communicating the scale of this universal, timeless, structurally perfect and emotionally powerful work. In the composer's words, "the cello represents The Mother of God and never stops singing." Indeed, the cello sings without stopping for the entire 46 minutes of the piece, requiring huge mental and physical stamina. That Matthew Barley puts in such a commendable performance while simultaneously directing the excellent Sinfonietta Riga makes this recording particularly noteworthy. Even if you already have a version of 'The Protecting Veil' in your collection this one is still worth hearing and if you have not yet invested in a copy this is as good as any and better than some.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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