Wikipedia (1944-2013) [British. Modern.]
If you're just gonna listen to one: Fragments of a Prayer
Background
John Tavener, who died this month, was one of the leading British composers of the last half century. He rose to prominence with The Whale - a dramatic, avant-garde oratorio that drew the attention of the Beatles, who asked him to record the piece on their record label.
In the mid 1970s, Tavener converted to the Orthodox faith, and from that point on, music was inexorably tied to religion for him. He was not particularly interested in western music, but distilled his personal musical style from other types of music, conveying depth through simplicity of texture and form. He was, up until his death, one of the most frequently-performed of living composers; his Song for Athene (another version) was performed at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.
Tavener received much acclaim for The Protecting Veil, a piece for cello and orchestra. Most of his output, though was choral...
Choral
As One Who Has Slept
Hymn to the Mother of God
Funeral Canticle
Funeral Ikos
