John Tavener - A Portrait. Various Performers.

Naxos CD 8.558152-53.

THIS double CD has been presented by Naxos as a tribute for the composer's 60th birthday.

It includes part of his most popular work The Protecting Veil and the Song for Athene sung so eloquently by the choir in Westminster Cathedral at the close of the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.

It also features the premire of Prayer of the Heart, sung by Icelandic pop star Bjork.

John Taverner was born in London, and educated at Highgate School. Among his contemporaries were John Rutter and Brian Chapple, now both composers.

The three boys were taught by Edward Chapman, who, though "a tyrant in the classroom", recognised talent when he heard it and as a consequence Tavener was encouraged all the way.

At the age of 14, he tried for a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridg,e but was turned down - although he was asked to try again later.

At the age of 31, he had a stroke, a pre-cursor to an hereditary illness that was not diagnosed for some time and he also married for the first time.

The 1980s were a time of transition for him, and the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church became more obvious as his spirituality became more intense.

However, by the late 1990s his interest in other religions came to the fore and his music explores many different philosophies.

This is stirring stuff and, although some might not take to some of the more avant garde pieces John Tavener is one of the UK's greatest composers of the late 20th Century, and for that alone we should at least try and embrace his music.

It has certainly grown on me.