A co-commission of the LPO and the Southbank Centre,
Lalishri is inspired by the 14th-century Hindu saint and poet, Lalla Yogishwari. "Her poetry with its combination of intensity and simplicity made me think of the 'innocent intensity' of Nicola Benedetti's playing," explains Tavener in a program note on Chester Novello's website. "Indeed the solo violin represents the song of Lalla. When Lalla discovered
ATMA or the true SELF (which is none other than God inside her) she danced naked throughout Kashmir. This spiritual nakedness manifests itself in bodily nakedness." The five-section piece moves from "dance, ecstatic trance to a musical expression of Bliss," adds the composer.
Litton, the 20-year-old Benedetti and the LPO recorded the concerto earlier this year; the album on Deutsche Grammophon is slated for release in the U.K. on September 24. (No U.S. release date has yet been scheduled.)
Also on the September 26 program are Elgar's Symphony No. 2 and Vaughan Williams's The Wasps.