Sign In
 
 
 
Close Window

Arvo Part

About

One of contemporary classical's bestsellers, this Estonian composer's body of work is both heartbreakingly fragile and deeply contemplative. He began his career as a staunch serialist, using the style's dissonance as protest against his Soviet government. However, by the end of the '60s, Part's style shifted to what he calls "tintinnabulation," or the sound of bells. Marked by a minimalist focus on subtle, exact tone, his musical language harkens back to the simple, deep harmonies of early music while remaining absolutely modern. The music does not change key throughout the course of a given composition, giving the work its characteristic timeless, meditative quality. Themes of repentance and rebirth surround much of his work, which, choral work in particular, is unabashedly spiritual and absolutely sublime.

- Doug Russell

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Similar Artists

 
 
 
 
 

Filed Under

 
 
 
 
 

Tracks

116 Available

 
 
 
 
maintain a column
 

Albums

57 Available

 
 
 
 
 

Electronics

Listen to any song in the catalog through home audio systems, MP3 players, mobile apps and more.

Get Unlimited Music

Listen to anything and everything with a Rhapsody Subscription.
AMG - Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC.
© 2001-2009 Listen.com, a subsidiary of RealNetworks