4 trumpets, 3 trombones, Timpani, pow-wow drum, handbells, 4 Tibetan temple bowls, 4 gongs, Tam Tam, Tenor Solo 2 choirs and strings, string quartet, piano, organ
The Beautiful Names came to me as a vision. I contemplated the meaning of each of the 99 names, as well as the sacred sound of the Arabic, and the music appeared to me spontaneously. The music that came to me was neither chaotic or random but seemed always to have an inner logic, that related often to “cosmic music” or Music of the Spheres. I decided quite early on to base the structure of the work on the sevenfold constitution of man, as taught by Hindu philosophy. This causes the main sections of the work to be arranged on three conjunct triads.
1. D ATMA The Absolute
2. B BUDDHA Being
3. G MANUS Matter
4. E KAMA RUPA Life
5. C LINGA SHARIRA Soul
6. A PRANA Life
7. F SHULA SHARIRA Matter
8. D ATMA The Absolute
9. D ATMA The Absolute
Hence eleven groups of nine “tonal zones” make up the structure of the Ninety Nine Names. The Divine names fall into two categories, those of majesty and those of mercy. Each set of 11 Names are separated by outbursts of the Supreme Name; Allah, and by rigorous canons for strings, three trombones, four trumpets and with piano and Timpani respectively. The start of each new section is prefaced by a magisterial calling out of Allah. There is almost no repetition in the entire work.
The pow-wow drum of the American Indians represents Shiva’s dream, as the Tibetan Temple Bowls, Gongs and Tam Tam represent the Divine Breath, which connects the Sigh of Sadness and Compassion of the Primordial Being; this is shown by the exhaling of breath form the choirs while a somewhat distant string quartet contemplates the Divine Mercy. The Divine names are sung by tenor solo, and two choirs respectively. The music abounds in mirrors, thus emphasising the divine presence in his creatures. The string choir and brass choir as well as percussion, piano and organ, provide the orchestral palette.
John Tavener
December 2005
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