John Tavener's The Protecting Veil to be reissued for Record Store Day

9 April 2014, 09:45 | Updated: 9 April 2014, 09:53

John Tavener's work for cello and orchestra, The Protecting Veil, is to be reissued on vinyl for the annual Record Store Day festivities on Saturday April 19th.

The vinyl, which will contain all eight sections of Tavener's work, is being released by indie label Bella Union, who are the UK home of rock bands including The Flaming Lips and Fleet Foxes. Tavener died last year at the age of 69.

Originally composed in 1988 for the cellist Steven Isserlis, the work has gone on to become one of Tavener's most iconic works. It arrived after Tavener converted to the Russian Orthodox Church in the late 1970s. It is the first time it has ever been released on vinyl.

Record Store Day is an annual event that celebrates the role of independent record shops in the music industry. Big-name acts from the rock and pop world often release one-off recordings for the duration of the day, and enthusiasts race to collect as many of them as possible.

This year, former White Stripes frontman Jack White will be recording and releasing a single on the same day, aiming to become the world's fastest released record. Other acts releasing special recordings on the day will include Damon Albarn, David Lynch, David Bowie and Kings of Leon.

The Protecting Veil appears to be the only core classical release in this year's huge list of Record Store Day releases.