Quote:
Originally Posted by boomana
Kanon Pokajanen--Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir--based on the canon of repentance, which in the symbolism of the early Slavonic Church, invokes the border between night and day. Big sound, full choral heavy lifting, Russian Orthodox beauty!!!
I think these would be a good start.
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I will say that Pokajanen is his true masterpiece.
Here is what was said at Amazon:
"[Amazon.com essential recording]
Arvo Pärt's new work, Kanon Pokajanen is an unqualified masterpiece. Although he's previously written music with similar notions of harmonic rhythm and melodic economy, this work successfully incorporates and develops material that in this context easily could become unwieldy. The texts are taken from the canon of repentance of the Russian Orthodox Church, a subject that's occupied the composer for many years. These songs of transformation "invoke the border between day and night ... prophecy and fulfillment, the here and the hereafter." Supervised by the composer, this performance by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir is pure gold, and likely will remain the definitive recording. Part's music rises from gentle valleys to impressive dramatic heights; from single voices to full choir. Here is 83 minutes of exquisite a cappella music in which time and space seem one, and rhythms find their place in a perfect synchrony with breathing and heartbeat. Whether any of this is conscious on the composer's part is incidental. Pärt is tuned into something that finds us and touches us all. --David Vernier "
I am a tremendous fan of Part. I came to appreciate his work as I love medieval chant, but also postwar music. And Part, like no one else, integrates the ancient mystical with the modern minimal.
Although some of his instrumental pieces are moving, I think his choral (a capella especially) are the most intense.
Thanks, drarthurwells, for starting the thread.
