Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tonu Karljuste - Arvo Part: Te Deum / Kaljuste, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
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Free Music Notes for Arvo Part: Te Deum / Kaljuste, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Free Music Review: A most mystical masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
Harold Bloom says reading is a private experience. That may be true when it comes to Arvo P?rt's music. For some, Arvo P?rt's "Te Deum" will be comforting, if perhaps haunting, background music on a Sunday morning while reflecting or a Friday evening while relaxing. But for a most mystical experience nothing can surpass the effect of listening to "Te Deum" while walking along the River Nidd on a pitch black moonless Yorkshire night, and ending the evening in a small church, listening once more to Arvo P?rt's "Te Deum." Free Music Review: Beautiful, Soulful, Choral Work
Hit: 4 Stars
Although my main genre of music is derived from the 60's, 70's rock and pop music, I also spent many Sundays attending church and listening to the work of the choir. I would say that I have a strong spiritual side, and so Arvo Part touched this part of my heart. I heard it on NPR when they were asking listeners for the albums that were essential in their collection. The person commented that this music centered them. I listened to the entire album on the radio on a Saturday night, even though I was about to head out to listen to other types of music.
The music is beautiful, soulful, and spiritual. The choral harmonies sound something like Thomas Tallis, but has instrumentation supporting the choir. The music is very slow and uses "silence" as part of the work. So be prepared to be put into a meditative state - one where peace is felt. A truly awesome piece of music.
Free Music Review: Don't come to this music empty...
Hit: 5 Stars
My opinion of much of the spiritual minimalist music that may be criticised as dull, boring, incomplete, or whatever adjective you care to insert, is that unlike the "great" music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, etc, this spiritual music requires you to bring something to it to have meaning. Anyone can listen to Mozart and get pretty much the same thing from it because it's perfect and complete. There's nothing more to add. And that's why I can't stand it. Like vanilla ice cream, the great German masters serve as nothing but a center for music to expand away from.
However, where one can put on Silouans Song and hear a dull film score, others can meditate on the music and be moved beyond words. The "inaudible" Berliner Messe concludes with the Agnus Dei. I will never escape the memory of listening to the piece at night under the stars next to a high alpine lake in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Agnus Dei section is as cold as ice, as bare as outer space, and with the Dona Nobis Pacem it melts, while keeping the melodic line of the first section, into the most comforting, heart-warming music. Atheist that I am, I can't help but feel that I'm not alone. Listen to it under the stars in the wilderness.
The major work, the Te Deum, is incredible in its own way. You cannot hear the music begin, but gradually become aware of what I assume is a piano string being played with a mallet. The sound reappears throughout the work, and at the huge climax you feel almost as if airplanes are taking off in the church. The ending, repeated statements of "Sanctus", fades out in almost as beautiful a manner as the Agnus Dei of the mass ends. Almost, but not quite.
There isn't another living composer like Part, and this is one of the finest discs of his music.
Free Music Review: Gentle introduction to P?rt; terrible recording
Hit: 3 Stars
If you've not previously listened to P?rt's music, this is a reasonable place to start. I prefer Tabula Rasa, however, and suggest that as a better alternative.
Unfortunately, the recording quality of the title work is atrocious. At several points, the vocals swell to aching levels...and just then, the sound is reduced to ear tearing distortion. No, folks, that isn't the power of an omnipotent, imaginary friend reaching through your stereo; that's really bad level setting.
Here's hoping ECM sees fit to make a proper recording of this one.
Free Music Review: My first Part of all Part's
Hit: 5 Stars
I have no idea why I first selected this CD while browsing in a store but I have since used Amazon to order most of Arvo Part's recordings. I am not sure how you would select a favorite -- I would certainly not agree that this is among the worst! I would say it still ranks as one of my favorites. I also agree this music is not for the car! This is certainly for when you want to be contemplative. If you feel rushed and overwhelmed by contemporary life, put on a Part CD and close your eyes and stress will melt away. This music is a ticket to timelessness and peace. Who would have thought a modern composer could have found a way to out do the Medievals this way? Progress has not stopped nor has it ignored our spiritual side.