Vocal Score for John Tavener's Three Hymns Of George Herbert for SATB chorus percussion and strings. Commissioned by the Legatum Institute [www.LI.com] as part of its ?British and American Notions of Liberty?programme in the year of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. First performance on 21st April 2013 in Washington National Cathedral by the City Choir of Washington conducted by Robert Shafer.'The ThreeHymns of George Herbert were written after a long illness and represent for me a Hymn of thanksgiving to God for a relative return to health. They are intended to be sung in a large resonant acoustic with the main choir andstring orchestra at one end of the building and an echo choir and string quartet at the other. The percussion (tubular bells gongs and tam-tams) should sound from a gallery or other raised position.The Hymns wereinspired by the transparent poetry of George Herbert and are dedicated in gratitude and love to the memory of Mother Thekla former Abbess of the Orthodox Monastery of the Assumption Normanby near Whitby who died in 2011.' -John Tavener

The use of Tibetan Bells and Wind Chimes provides an ethereal atmosphere that is echoed in the music and text. Originally written for treble choir this new voicing is most effective. The description of the surrounding nature and stars becomes sound in this beautiful composition. Its festival use has already become popular for any season.