Composer John Tavener Dead At 69

He first drew notice for his clangorous scores The Whale and Celtic Requiem (recorded on the Beatles’ Apple label); earned broad popularity with works, such as the cello concerto The Protecting Veil and the voices-and-strings miniature The Bridegroom, infused with Eastern Orthdox Christian mysticism; went universalist with his seven-hour The Veil of the Temple. He gained worldwide fame when his simple Song for Athene was sung at Princess Diana’s funeral.