Part Work

This cd, Orient and Occident, features music by Arvo Part. The performers are the Swedish radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir conducted by Tonu Kaljuste. There are three works on the disk, the title piece is the most recent and is an instrumental work for string orchestra. Slow, gentle and contemplative with various musical strands converging and diverging through the piece. Pilgrim's Song is based on psalm 121 and is for men's choir and string orchestra. There is a clear orthodox chant influence but Part's own slow understated language is also evident. The final work, Como Sieva Sedienta for soprano ( Helena Olssen ) women's choir and string orchestra sets words in David's psalm and again has a slowly unfolding repetition of themes. Part's music is dismissed by some as holy minimalism or pseudo chill out music but I think that is unfair to his obvious sincerity and careful listening is repaid by more than a simple calming effect.