Various - Arvo Pärt: Miserere - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

The Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, born in 1935, has succeeded in bringing sacred music back to a broader audience, and away from the confines of the church service, more than almost any other contemporary composer. The meditative character of his works, and his return to the simplest and most basic musical forms, convey moments of intense spirituality. Before his emigration from the Soviet Union, Pärt had already invented what he termed the tintinnabuli style of composition. He produced an early and important example of this expressive style in 1977 with his InchCantus in Memory of Benjamin BrittenInch, scored for string orchestra and bell. It is also a key feature of the choral and instrumental works presented by BR-KLASSIK on this new album five works for choir as well as two for instrumental ensemble, covering all of the composer's creative epochs between 1986 and 2019. Alongside shorter a cappella choral works such as InchTribute to CaesarInch (1997), InchWhich Was the Son of...Inch (2000), InchThe Deer's CryInch (2007) and InchJa ma kuulsin hääle... (And I heard a voice)Inch (2017), the highlight of this album - almost 30 minutes in length and with it's absolutely spectacular sound effects - is the InchMiserereInch for soli, mixed voices, ensemble and organ (1989/1992). Ever since it's premiere in 1989 in Rouen, France, and the recording by the Hilliard Ensemble under Paul Hillier, this is the first time a professional choir has dared undertake a production of this masterful composition - a work conveying the growth, flourishing and transience of human existence in sound. Arvo Pärt had never heard some of these pieces sung by a full choir before - Inchalways only by a small ensembleInch. The impressive programme is rounded off by two instrumental works InchFestina lenteInch (1986/1990) for string orchestra and harp, and InchSequentiaInch (2014/2019) for violin,