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| Sir John Tavener: Composer dies at 69 | Sir John Tavener: Composer dies at 69 |
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| Sir John Tavener, one of the leading British composers of the 20th and 21st Centuries, has died at the age of 69. | Sir John Tavener, one of the leading British composers of the 20th and 21st Centuries, has died at the age of 69. |
| Sir John was known for music that drew on his deep spirituality. | Sir John was known for music that drew on his deep spirituality. |
| In 1992, The Protecting Veil topped the classical charts for several months and in 1997 his Song For Athene was played at the funeral of Princess Diana. | In 1992, The Protecting Veil topped the classical charts for several months and in 1997 his Song For Athene was played at the funeral of Princess Diana. |
| He had suffered ill health for much of his life, culminating in a heart attack in 2007 that led him to spend six months in intensive care. | |
| Previously, he had suffered a stroke in 1979, and in 1990 was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome, a hereditary condition that can cause heart defects. | Previously, he had suffered a stroke in 1979, and in 1990 was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome, a hereditary condition that can cause heart defects. |
| His other well-known works included A New Beginning, which was chosen to see in the new century at the end of 1999 in the Millennium Dome in London. | His other well-known works included A New Beginning, which was chosen to see in the new century at the end of 1999 in the Millennium Dome in London. |
| James Rushton, managing director of Sir John's publisher Chester Music, described him as "one of the unique and most inspired voices in music of the last 50 years". | James Rushton, managing director of Sir John's publisher Chester Music, described him as "one of the unique and most inspired voices in music of the last 50 years". |
| "His large body of work... is one of the most significant contributions to classical music in our times," he said. | "His large body of work... is one of the most significant contributions to classical music in our times," he said. |
| "For all of those fortunate enough to have known him, John was a man of strong beliefs, huge personal warmth, loyalty and humour. He will be much missed." | "For all of those fortunate enough to have known him, John was a man of strong beliefs, huge personal warmth, loyalty and humour. He will be much missed." |
| A statement said he died peacefully at home in Child Okeford, Dorset, on Tuesday. | |
| Sir John began his career on The Beatles' Apple label in the 1960s and was one of the few contemporary composers to find wide acclaim beyond the classical world. | |
| He was nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize twice - in 1992 and 1997 - and was knighted in 2000. | |
| Having converted to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1977, he once said that "my way towards God has been to write music". | |
| Fellow composer John Rutter told BBC Radio 3, Sir John was "a composer who was absolutely touched by genius at every point". | |
| "He could bring an audience to a deep silence which is a very rare gift," Rutter said. "You could also sense something very special even in his miniature pieces. He believed that music was for everybody and was a prayer. | |
| "We can only lament the loss of the music still to come and the 70th birthday celebrations next year." | |
| Others paying tribute included his friend and actress Mia Farrow, who wrote on Twitter: "Peace dear friend, great composer, John Tavener." | |
| Sir John was heard on BBC Radio 4's Start the Week on Monday in an interview recorded on 31 October. He recounted how his 2007 heart attack left him unable to "sense the idea of God any more, I couldn't sense any music." | |
| "Everything vanished," he said. "I was so physically weak and I'd spent six months in intensive care and the heart had stopped four times... it was only after being nursed by my wife back into some state of health that the music and a different kind of faith started to come back." | |
| Despite being told by doctors that he would not be able to work after his 2007 heart attack, he did resume composing and premiered three works at the Manchester International Festival this summer. | |
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