Arvo Part’s “Fourth Symphony,” written in 2008 for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, is scored for strings, harp, and percussion. This is melancholy music. Think of Symphony 4 as a cousin to Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Stings and you won’t be far off. This CD includes excerpts from “Kanon Pokajanen,” sung by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir led by Tonu Kaljuste. If you like Part’s music, you’ll want to hear this. GRADE: A-
Phil loves him; he’s nails on a blackboard to me.
I’m in the middle of you and Phil, Patti. If I’m in the mood, Part’s music moves me. But, at other times, his music can just be annoying. SYMPHONY 4 is one of Part’s best works.
I come from a choral/vocal background and am a fan of a lot of 20th (and 21st!) century vocal music that gets very little air time, recordings or performances, save for a few college groups. But I really loved Part’s “De Profundis” short choral piece, performed by Paul Hillier’s group — very ethereal and a wonderful example of text painting.
I like Part’s DE PROFUNDIS, too, BV. But I like Lauridsen’s LUX AETERNA even more. If you haven’t heard the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s version of this, you’re in for a delight!
I need to listen to more Part.
Naxos has plenty of Arvo Part CDs at reasonable prices, Todd.