'Cantus' -Arvo Pärt (1977)

"Cantus" is an elegy composed by Arvo Pärt to mourn the death of the English composer Benjamin Britten in December 1976. Pärt held Britten in high esteem and greatly admired his work, describing him as possessing the "unusual purity" that he sought as a composer. - RM
Worcester Symphony Orchestra
March 11th, 2023, Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts

Arvo Pärt is an Estonian composer who is well-known for his unique and innovative style of music. He was born on September 11, 1935, in Paide, Estonia, and began his music education at the Tallinn Music High School in 1954. He then went on to study composition at the Tallinn Conservatory under the guidance of Heino Eller.

Pärt's early works were influenced by serialism and neoclassicism, but he eventually developed his signature style, "tintinnabuli." This style is characterized by the use of simple, minimalist melodies, often based on medieval chant, combined with tintinnabulation, which is the ringing of bells or other percussion instruments.

Some of Pärt's other famous works include "Fratres," "Tabula Rasa," and "Spiegel im Spiegel." He has also composed several large-scale works, including "Te Deum," "Passio," and "St. John Passion." Pärt's music has been performed by numerous orchestras and ensembles worldwide, and he has received many awards and honors for his contributions to contemporary music.

Pärt's music has been described as spiritual and transcendent, and he has said that his goal as a composer is to create music that connects with the listener on a profound level. He has significantly influenced the development of minimalist and post-minimalist music, and his work continues to be widely admired and performed today. - Roderick Macdonald