Celebrated British composer Sir John Tavener passed away at 69.
Sir Tavener began his musical journey as a teenage organist at a Presbyterian church in London, later converting to the Russian Orthodox Church in 1977.
The composer, who has known for his flowing hair and imposing 6 feet 6 inches height, suffered a stroke in 1979 and was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome in 1990.
In 2007, Sir Tavener suffered a heart attack which led him to be in intensive care for six months.
Tevener died peacefully at his home in Child Okeford, Dorset on Monday, November 11. Several rich tributes, led by Prince Charles, have been paid to the composer.
In 1997, Tavener's "Song for Athene" was played at Princess Diana's funeral. Tevener was reportedly Charles' favorite composer.
"The Prince of Wales was saddened to hear of the death of John Tavener," said a Clarence House spokesperson.
John Rutter, fellow composer, told BBC Radio 3 that Sir John "was absolutely touched by genius at every point".
"He could bring an audience to a deep silence which is a very rare gift," said Rutter. "He believed that music was for everybody and was a prayer."
Sir Tavener gained prominence with his avante garde oratorio "The Whale". This composition was released by The Beatles in 1968 on their Apple label. Moreover, in 1992, his "The Protecting Veil" topped the classical charts for a long time.
The composer was also nominated for the Mercury Prize in 1992 and 1997, and was knighted in 2000. In 2002, he won a Grammy for best classical contemporary composition for "Lamentations and Praises."
Sir Tavener had the distinction of being one of the few composers who crossed boundaries of the classical world and found acclaim beyond it.
"He's unique," cellist and collaborator Steven Isserlis told Radio 3. "Classical music has fractured into all these completely different languages and voices and he had his own voice. He wasn't writing to be popular - he was writing the music he had to write."
Sir John is survived by his wife Maryanna and his three children.
