John Tavener
MAHÁMÁTAR a mantra
for Oriental or Middle-Eastern female voice, solo cello (optional), boys’ voices, tubular bells and strings
CHESTER MUSIC
This work was commissioned by the BBC for Sound on Film Duration: c. 14 minutes Orchestral parts available on hire
SCORING Low Oriental or Middle-Eastern female voice Solo cello (optional) Boys’ voices Tubular bells Strings
COMPOSER’S NO TE NOTE
Mahámátar is written for oriental or middle-eastern female voice, distant boys’ voices (in a vast acoustic), tubular bells and muted strings. The vocal part in the early stages should be relatively undecorated, but as the volume and intensity increase, microtonal and various decorations to the mantra should be introduced, fading away again towards the end. The decorations should be chosen according to the tradition of the particular singer, whether it be Persian, Greek, Turkish, Indian or whichever.* The music is an invocation to the Great Mother Mahámátar in Sanskrit, and to theTheotóke (God-bearer) in Greek. I wrote it to accompany a film by Werner Herzog which deals with South American Indians who travel for many miles on their knees to venerate the miraculous ikon of The Mother of God of Guadalupe. Without the Great Mother, the God-bearer, matrix and mediator, none of us can even see God. Most Holy Mother of God, pray to your Son for us. J.T. June 2000 * Additional note: July 2013
Mahámátar may be performed by a solo voice as described above. Alternatively the melody could be played by a solo cello, with decorations and improvisations by the singer.
Pronunciation guide: Sanskrit:
Mahámátar
Ma há má tar
as in mother h as in loch, + a as in mother as in mother as in French terroire
Greek
Theotóke
The o tó ke
as in therapy as in otter as in tonic as in ken