Arvo Part - Tabula Rasa: The Music Of Arvo Part

Tuesday 1st June 1993
Arvo Part - Tabula Rasa: The Music Of Arvo Part

STYLE: Classical
RATING 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 22272-
LABEL: ECM 12758177642
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1
RRP: £9.99

Reviewed by John Irvine

This is a re-release of a collection (first issued in 1984) of recordings made between 1977 and 1984 of Part's instrumental music written in 1976 at the end of a long period of creative silence. 1976 marked the beginning of Part's style of composition called "Tintinnabulation", meaning music like bells. Part's style became simple and mysterious and these works reflect this new compositional style. 20 years later it is hard to remember that Part ever wrote in any other style! This album though is more than a mere curio: it contains "Cantus In Memory Of Benjamin Britten", a five minute threnody made up of descending scales on strings and a single tolling bell. It is the most often played Part piece and forms part of the repertoire of many orchestras' worldwide. There are also excellent performances by Gidon Kremer (violin) on "Fratres" and "Tabula Rasa". The only problem with the disc is that the recording of "Tabula Rasa" (a very long, slow and above all quiet piece) was made before a live audience - the mood of the piece is often spoiled by background noise. Otherwise, an excellent introduction to Part's music, with very informative sleeve notes.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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