Prayer of the Heart was inspired by The Chain of Hope. This charitable organisation raises money for the treatment of heart disorders in children including Marfan’s Syndrome of which John Tavener is a sufferer. Thesinger should sit on a low stool bowing towards the heart. This facilitates the soul’s concentration and its unification in ecstasy. The Prayer of the Heart is prayed ceaselessly day and night awake or sleeping becauseit has become at one with the beating of the heart... Silence peace sweetness of union with God... The Prayer is not usually sounded with the voice at all it is silent. Therefore the music must be played and sungintensely quietly with no physical effort. The Byzantine bell and large Tibetan temple bowl may be played by the singer. Prayer of the Heart should be sung in subdued lighting perhaps by candlelight. The recording of theheartbeat should sound very tenderly and quietly throughout.

Inspired by the events of September 11th, this three-movement work incorporates recorded voices of NORAD air traffic controllers (North American Aerospace Defense Command), FDNY (Fire Department New York), and Ground Zero neighborhood residents. / Quatuor A Cordes