Schnittke / Pärt - Voices of Nature

Alfred Schnittke (1934-1998)

Concerto for Choir (1984-85)

Voices of Nature, for ten women's voices and vibraphone (1972)

Arvo Pärt (b. 1935)

Doppo la Vittoria (Piccola Cantata) (1996-98)

Bogoroditse Djevo (1990)

I am the true vine (1996)

Swedish Radio Choir

Tonu Kaljuste

Amazing choral music from Russian composer Alfred Schnittke, who is best known for his 9 symphonies and his series of neo-baroque Concerti Grossi. The Concerto for Choir is one of the most incredible a capella choral pieces I've ever heard, and the Swedish Radio Choir does a wonderful job with it.

Also included, little known choral settings from the 90's by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, which also offer a lot of surprises and beautiful moments.

This disc is truly one of the best I have to offer, so git on it!

Enjoy

Arvo Pärt - Stabat Mater

Arvo Pärt (b.1935)

Stabat Mater, Psalom, Summa, Fratres, Es Sang von Langen Jahrer

Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montreal

Christopher Jackson

Quatuor Franz Joseph

Daniel Taylor

Some more Pärt for you. This has another two of my absolute favorite Pärt pieces, Summa, a beautiful choral setting reminiscent of the early church music, and Fratres, in a version for string ensemble that is unlike anything I've ever heard.

Enjoy

Arvo Pärt - Arbos

Arvo Pärt (b. 1935)

Arbos

The Hilliard Ensemble

Gidon Kremer

Vladimir Mendelssohn

Thomas Demenga

Brass Ensemble Staatorchester Stuttgart

Dennis Russel Davies

Beautiful music by the unique Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.

Pärt is amazing to me in that he's not afraid to sound like he's in a time warp and he's actually living in the 15th Century. I guess I wish I was brave enough to write music like that as well, since it's often the music I most connect with.

Anyway, this disc includes one of my absolute favorite of his works, De Profundis, a haunting and heart-wrenching setting that you won't forget.

Enjoy