2. music
  3. 1325439592

Arvo Part... Where have you been my whole life?

My interest in classical music didn't really develop until about five years ago, so I'm still a novice compared to many of the folks here on A'gon. I tend to listen to a lot of small scale chamber music and choral music.

I've had Part's Tabula Rasa for years and always liked it, but for some reason I never delved further. I guess it's because I tend to avoid modern classical. In any case, I just started listening to some of his other works -- Te Deum, De Profundis, Alina, Litany. They are beautiful.

Can anyone recommend other works, either by Part or by similar composers? Thanks.

Bryon
bryoncunningham

Showing 1 response by sibelius

sibelius
256 posts
 
I agree with T_Bone. Part is fairly unique when it comes to style. While I enjoy Kancheli and Gubaidalina I think a different approach may be to go back in time instead of looking for similar contemporary composers. Try Thomas Tallis "Spem in alium" or masses by William Byrd or even some gregorian chant. I find this is where Part draws a lot of his inspiration from.

As to Part recommendations, anything from ECM label has been worthwhile. Great pieces played by dedicated performers in very good sound.

If you try and like the orchestra pieces in "Arbos" you may want to also try Janacek's "Glagolitic Mass". Another stylisticaly interesting composer with a unique sound world
More to discover