Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

During the past 20 years Arvo Pärt has consolidated his reputation with some exquisite choral music. The hour of material on this disc takes us from "Bogoróditse Djévo (Mother Of God And Virgin)" written in 1990 through to a "Nunc Dimittis" of 2001. All are sung unaccompanied by the Canadian choir the Elora Festival Singers under Noel Edison and all are recognisably the work of Pärt who has a very distinctive style. Pärt is such a prolific composer that this disc - good though it is - would not be the best starting place for a complete beginner. I would pay the extra and go for the double CD 'Portrait', also on the Naxos label. But for those with a taste for Pärt and collectors of contemporary choral music this budget-priced release is essential. The Elora Festival Singers are superb and the recording catches every nuance in the deceptively simple sounding music. The first piece is "Triodion" from 1998 which is not one of my favourites but some of the other songs are brilliant: "Tribute to Caesar", "I Am the True Vine" and "The Woman With The Alabaster Box" would all get my vote for any 'Best of' compilation.

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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