He combined the mass for the dead with singing games for children in his early Celtic Requiem, but turned towards Byzantine sources for inspiration following his conversion to Russian Orthodoxy.
One of this composer's pieces closes each of the first seven sections with a descending F scale figure that is initially two notes long, but grows one note longer at the end of each following section until it forms a complete scale. Inspired by a young actress who died in a cycling accident, this composer wrote a piece which quotes Hamlet by calling life "a shadow and a dream." Each section of that piece begins with the word "Alleluia." At the 1989 Proms, Steven Isserlis premiered a piece by him which was described as a lyrical icon in sound rather than wood. The soloist plays almost continuously during that piece for cello and string orchestra, and each section of that piece was inspired by a feast of the (*) Virgin Mary. He combined the mass for the dead with singing games for children in his early Celtic Requiem, but turned towards Byzantine sources for inspiration following his conversion to Russian Orthodoxy. During the funeral of Princess Diana, this composer's Song for Athene played as the coffin exited Westminster Abbey. For 10 points, name this British composer of The Protecting Veil, who passed away in 2013.
One of this composer's pieces closes each of the first seven sections with a descending F scale figure that is initially two notes long, but grows one note longer at the end of each following section until it forms a complete scale.
John Tavener