Arbos

Arbos

• An den Wassern zu Babel (1976 84) 4 voci e organo
• De profundis (1980)
• Es sang vor langen Jahren (1984)
• Stabat Mater (1985)
• Summa (1978)

This CD features some great performances by Pärt specialists of a variety of shorter works. The clamorous <I>Arbos</I> for brass makes a startling opening for those who expect abstracted reverence; the lament, <I>An den Wassern</I>, has a startling ending that builds in intensity and volume only to break off midphrase. The static <I>Pari Intervallo</I> for organ leads into <I>De Profundis</I>, with its sense of slow but unstoppable movement (every note the same length, every measure the same rhythm). <I>Es Sang</I> has an unexpectedly lilting tune for solo alto, punctuated by string exclamations; <I>Summa</I> is a straightforward Pärt-style setting of the Credo. <I>Arbos</I> is repeated (this is oddly satisfying), and the disc closes with a masterpiece, the unbearably sad Stabat Mater for three voices and three strings. <I>--Matthew Westphal</I>