Im sarah montague. Sirjohn tavener composes music for god, even referring to it as a form of divine dictation. In doing so, he has become one of britains most celebrated living composers. A0 years ago, his work was sometimes dismissed as bland, populist, new age. But since then, he has defied the critics. The Protecting Veil was one of the biggest selling classical cds ever. Six years ago, he had a heart attack that nearly killed him, and since then, he says, everything has changed his music, his outlook on life, and his faith. So what happened, and how did he change . Sirjohn tavener, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you. What happened to your music . Well, it nearly vanished altogether. Because i was taken ill in switzerland, and they didnt not know whether i was conscious, whether i was brain dead or not. And my wife came over from england, and she played me mozart, and i started conducting, like that. And the doctors realised my brain wasnt dead. I didnt become conscious after that, but
Im sarah montague. Sirjohn tavener composes music for god, even referring to it as a form of divine dictation. In doing so, he has become one of britains most celebrated living composers. A0 years ago, his work was sometimes dismissed as bland, populist, new age. But since then, he has defied the critics. The Protecting Veil was one of the biggest selling classical cds ever. Six years ago, he had a heart attack that nearly killed him, and since then, he says, everything has changed his music, his outlook on life, and his faith. So what happened, and how did he change . Sirjohn tavener, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you. What happened to your music . Well, it nearly vanished altogether. Because i was taken ill in switzerland, and they didnt not know whether i was conscious, whether i was brain dead or not. And my wife came over from england, and she played me mozart, and i started conducting, like that. And the doctors realised my brain wasnt dead. I didnt become conscious after that, but
Now, its time for welcome to hardtalk. Im stephen sackur. There are writers of world renown whose reputation rests on one great book. There are others who write more prolifically, but always in the same territory. And then theres my guest today. Margaret atwoods Output Fizzes with energy, diversity and experimentation. Shes best known for her novels, the handmaids tale, the blind assassin, oryx and crake. But shes written poetry, blog fiction and, this year, a Superhero Comic Book, too. She has a worldwide legion of fans. So what keeps her creative juices flowing . Margaret atwood, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you. Ijust referred to your prolific and diverse output over many years. But youve just done something youve never done before. Youve taken on adapting shakespeare. And youve always said shakespeare is pretty much your favourite author. So how daunting was that . Very, very daunting. First of all you knew that you were going to get a lot of people saying that you shouldnt do it, an
Now, its time for welcome to hardtalk. Im stephen sackur. There are writers of world renown whose reputation rests on one great book. There are others who write more prolifically, but always in the same territory. And then theres my guest today. Margaret atwoods Output Fizzes with energy, diversity and experimentation. Shes best known for her novels, the handmaids tale, the blind assassin, oryx and crake. But shes written poetry, blog fiction and, this year, a Superhero Comic Book, too. She has a worldwide legion of fans. So what keeps her creative juices flowing . Margaret atwood, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you. Ijust referred to your prolific and diverse output over many years. But youve just done something youve never done before. Youve taken on adapting shakespeare. And youve always said shakespeare is pretty much your favourite author. So how daunting was that . Very, very daunting. First of all you knew that you were going to get a lot of people saying that you shouldnt do it, an
Now, its time for welcome to hardtalk. Im stephen sackur. There are writers of world renown whose reputation rests on one great book. There are others who write more prolifically, but always in the same territory. And then theres my guest today. Margaret atwoods Output Fizzes with energy, diversity and experimentation. Shes best known for her novels, the handmaids tale, the blind assassin, oryx and crake. But shes written poetry, blog fiction and, this year, a Superhero Comic Book, too. She has a worldwide legion of fans. So what keeps her creative juices flowing . Margaret atwood, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you. Ijust referred to your prolific and diverse output over many years. But youve just done something youve never done before. Youve taken on adapting shakespeare. And youve always said shakespeare is pretty much your favourite author. So how daunting was that . Very, very daunting. First of all you knew that you were going to get a lot of people saying that you shouldnt do it, an