Arvo Pärt

[Nordlys]

Who have heard any solo piano music by Arvo Pärt? Is it any good? I know some of his choral music, which is quite interesting, and of course "Fratres", and the beautiful "Cantus in Memoriam B. Britten."

I have seen a piece called "Für Alina" referred to in this forum. What is it like?

[bernhard]

There isn’t much (to my knowledge) piano solo music from Arvo Part. (I would be very interested in learning of more pieces – Arvo Part is my favourite contemporary composer). Here is what I know of:

4 Easy Dances for Piano: Music for Children's Theatre (1956-57)

Partita, op.2 (1958)

Sonatine, op.1 no.1 and no.2 (1958 and 1959)

Diagrams, op.11 (1964)

I cannot say that I care to much for these pieces, which are previous to his “tintinabullum” style – which he embraced after 1976. This leaves us only with three pieces:

Für Alina (Aliinale) (1976)

Variationen zur Gesundung von Arinushka(1977)
 
Hymn To A Great City (1984/1999) for two pianos. 

“Fur Alina” is an amazing piece that requires a particular frame of mind both for playing and listening. Technically is about grade 1. To give a proper rendition of it is amazingly difficult. The best recording of it I came across is here:

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000024HL1/102-7876887-3159303?v=glance

There is a good description of it here:

https://www.musicolog.com/part_reviews.asp

If  you want something involving the piano, there are two wonderful pieces for violin and piano: Spiegel im Spiegel (Mirror in mirror) and Fratres, if you can find a violinist to accompany.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Nordlys]

Thank you very much!

I guess the earlier pieces are written in a modernist, atonal style?

I listened to the excerpt from Alina; it really is amazing. I am going to check out this and the other two piano pieces you listed.

[bernhard]

Thank you very much!

You are welcome

I guess the earlier pieces are written in a modernist, atonal style?

Yes, you are correct.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[DarkWind]

Hmm, do you have any recommendations for any of his music at all? I was listening to a CD of Pärt yesterday, and my speakers were exuding some of the most boring sounds to ever sting my ears...

[fnork]

Hmm, do you have any recommendations for any of his music at all? I was listening to a CD of Pärt yesterday, and my speakers were exuding some of the most boring sounds to ever sting my ears...

Well, his music IS simple. I don't know what you listened to, but there's a CD called "Tabula Rasa" (on ECM New Series I think) which is amazing. Especially "Fratres" for violin and piano - that's an amazing piece, although quite simple.

The CD Bernhard mentioned, "Alina" is great too - I've only heard it a few times but it's really good. Of course, it depends on what you like. But I think you should open your ears for Pärts music, because it's really good

[willcowskitz]

If I'd have to recommend something from Pärt, I'd probably say Trisagion. Other than that, I'm not much of a fan of Arvo Pärt. To describe some of his music, particularly Alina, with one word: cheap.