I Am The True Vine: Arvo Part

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Contemporary troubador Paul Hillier has been one of the key players behind introducing Arvo Pärt's music to Western audiences, first through recordings with the Hilliard Ensemble and later through his magnificently innovative group Theatre of Voices. I Am the True Vine continues the collaboration by bringing together some truly vintage Pärt compositions from the '90s. Although it exists on disc in a more elaborate version for choir and strings, the 1990 Berlin Mass was originally written for just four solo voices and organ. Pärt later revised the score, returning to that original sonority, which is the version offered here. The consummate preparation of the Theatre of Voices, in which every line is lovingly unfurled, the whole building into a memorable aural sculpture, only heightens a listener's admiration for Pärt's ability to make the seemingly simple profound. We also hear the composer in a more overtly joyful mood than usual in the short first selection, while the title track--a setting of a text from the Gospel of John and one of three world premiere recordings here--is a marvelously organic example of word painting (representing Pärt's choral virtuosity even when it comes to setting English text). --Thomas May

Tracks:

Introduction: Ad Libitum - Ode I: 'O Jesus The Son Of God, Have Mercy Upon Us'
Ode II: 'O Most Holy Birth-giver Of God, Save Us'
Ode III: 'O Holy Saint Nicholas, pray To God For Us' Coda: Ad Libtitum
Tribute To Caesa, St. Matthew 22, 15-22
Nunc Dimittis, St. Luke 2, 29-32
Ode VII (Memento)
I Am The True Vine
The Woman With The Alabaster Box, St. Matthew 26, 6-13
After The Victory
Mother Of God And Virgin

Customer Reviews:

harkens back to classics.......2007-01-10

I am overwhelmed the beautiful melodic tones of his work. The coral sections are so beautiful and have a feel of meloncholy but with a sense of traditional classic choral music. I recommend his work to those who love Bill Douglas.

Exquisite A Cappella Choral Music Exquisitely Sung.......2006-10-25

It really is extraordinary these days for the music of a living composer to have multiple recordings and for those recordings to become best-sellers, but that is precisely what has happened with the music of Arvo Pärt, the 71-year-old Estonian composer whose choral music on sacred texts has become wildly popular, even among non-classical-music fans. There is something ethereally attractive about the music. It helps that it is unfailingly tonal, has a serenity that is sorely needed in these troubled days, and that it has attracted performances by such marvelous groups as the Elora Festival Singers on the present disc. The Elora singers are surely one of the best professional choral groups in North American, not to say the world. It is made up of singers drawn from the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and has been singing together for twenty-five years under its founder, Noel Edison. I raved about their previous recording, also on Naxos, of Pärt's 'Berliner Messe.' And this review is also a rave. It is rare that someone comes into my home, hears a snippet of a recording and wants not only to know who and what it is but wants to get a copy for themselves. That has happened with this recording and I notice that although the CD has been available at Amazon for less than a month, it is already one of their classical bestsellers. No surprise, really, since this is immediately attractive music sung exquisitely, impeccably, sensitively by the Elora Singers.

Most of the works recorded here have been recorded before, but never better. They are pieces written in the decade between 1990 (Triodion) and 2001 (Bogoróditse Djévo [Mother of God and Virgin]). All the texts are religious, most of them in English or church Latin; the non-English texts are translated and the English texts supplied in the accompanying booklet. All have a radiantly reverential quality accomplished at least partly by Pärt's use of melodies influenced by Gregorian chant and accompanied by what he calls 'tintinnabuli', the simple bell-like triadic harmonies underlying them. This approach has a trance-like or meditative quality that many people, even non-religious types (myself included), find irresistible.

One last comment: on the basis of the inclusion of Ode VII (Memento) from Pärt's 1994 'Kanon Pokajanen', his longest extended work since the St. John Passion, I would love to find that the Elora Festival Singers intend to record the whole thing.

Strong recommendation.

Scott Morrison

Average customer rating:

Colourful Choral Collection

Arvo Pärt: Triodion

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Arvo Pärt: De Profundis
Orient & Occident
Miserere
Litany
Part: Summa

ASIN: B0000ARNEZ
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

Dopo La Vittoria
Nunc Dimittis
...Which Was The Son Of...
I Am The True Vine
Littlemore Tractus
Triodion
My Heart's In The Highlands
Salve Regina

Customer Reviews:

Colourful Choral Collection.......2007-07-19

How has no one reviewed this album yet? Is it that overlooked? If it is, it's a sad fact, because this disc, while perhaps not the greatest collection of Pärt pieces, is wonderful, to say the least.

First, let's get something out of the way: The packaging was nice, and the recording is top-notch. There.

As for the music itself, it, as is almost always the case with Pärt, I find, never ceases to stir and inspire. "Dopo la vittoria" is a diverse piece, with a surprisingly light and bouncy beginning. "Nunc dimittis", while a little on the forgettable side, is nice. "...which was the son of..." can seem a little repetitive at first, but one notices more and more layers upon each listening. "I am the True Vine" is very even and restrained, but is moving all the same. "Littlemore Tractus" is the shortest selection, but is nice. "Triodion", on the other hand, is the longest, and, to me, the most interesting; parts of it reminded me of another Pärt piece, "Te Deum", my all-time favourite of Arvo's. "My Heart's in the Highlands" is a gloomy but deep piece, and the counter-tenor's voice is downright haunting. The last selection, "Salve Regina", has some good music, but is also a little forgettable.

Overall, a great album...and, once again, it shocks me that no one has reviewed this one yet. If you're new to Pärt, or looking for a place to begin, I might suggest something else, but this is definitely essential to the collection of any fan of this brilliant composer.

Average customer rating:

Heavenly lullaby
If you're looking for minimalism...
Impecable recording quality...a recording artists dream.
Brilliant performance, good sound
They can sing this in Heaven

I Am The True Vine: Arvo Part
Paul Hillier , Theatre of Voices , and Pro Arte Singers
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Arvo Pärt: De Profundis
Orient & Occident
Alina - Arvo Part
Miserere
Arvo Part: Te Deum / Kaljuste, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

ASIN: B00003Z9U9
Release Date: 2000-03-14

Tracks:

Bogoroditse Djevo
I Am The True Vine
Ode IX, from Kanon pokajanen
Woman With the Alabaster Box, The
Tribute To Caesar
BERLINER MESSE with Christopher Bowers-Broadbent organ/Kyrie
BERLINER MESSE/Gloria
BERLINER MESSE/Erster Alleluiavers
BERLINER MESSE/Zweiter Alleluiavers
BERLINER MESSE/Veni Sancte Spiritus
BERLINER MESSE/Credo
BERLINER MESSE/Sanctus
BERLINER MESSE/Angus dei

Amazon.com

Contemporary troubador Paul Hillier has been one of the key players behind introducing Arvo Pärt's music to Western audiences, first through recordings with the Hilliard Ensemble and later through his magnificently innovative group Theatre of Voices. I Am the True Vine continues the collaboration by bringing together some truly vintage Pärt compositions from the '90s. Although it exists on disc in a more elaborate version for choir and strings, the 1990 Berlin Mass was originally written for just four solo voices and organ. Pärt later revised the score, returning to that original sonority, which is the version offered here. The consummate preparation of the Theatre of Voices, in which every line is lovingly unfurled, the whole building into a memorable aural sculpture, only heightens a listener's admiration for Pärt's ability to make the seemingly simple profound. We also hear the composer in a more overtly joyful mood than usual in the short first selection, while the title track--a setting of a text from the Gospel of John and one of three world premiere recordings here--is a marvelously organic example of word painting (representing Pärt's choral virtuosity even when it comes to setting English text). --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Heavenly lullaby.......2006-08-20

This is the CD on my bedroom CD player that I listen to to "center" myself before going to sleep. It's actually a little intense for lullaby music, stimulating in a profoundly relaxing way.This is the first CD I would take to my desert island.

If you're looking for minimalism..........2003-04-03

I must have been under the false impression that ALL of Arvo Part's work since 1976 (around the time Fur Alina was written) was in the minimalist vein. Well, this recording is certainly not minimalist in any way, shape, or form.

If you are looking for this type of recording, I would recommend you try Part's instrumental works (apart from those written before '76).

This disc sounds more like neo-rennaisance madrigals and motets. If you are looking for a modern composer doing this type of work, look no further. However, if you are expecting another Fur Alina you will be greatly disappointed.

Impecable recording quality...a recording artists dream........2001-01-06

The best choral recording on the market period. So great in fact that I use this CD to test mid-range imagining on high end speakers. The tones are so pure....that you'll agree this is the CD you spent over 600. a speaker for, bar none.

Brilliant performance, good sound.......2000-09-14

The CD "I am the true vine" with works by Arvo Part is my first more thorough encounter with this composer. The sound of his music - even in the more modern parts - is always very pleasing and somewhat "easy" to listen to. In how far, however, is Part's music conveying more than just the full, well set choral sound? In my opinion, Arvo Part delivers a general feeling about the text, but it takes some time to get acquainted to the unusual style where voices join and drop out of the setting during single words, and in some cases, the emphases in the rhythm of the music do not fit the pronounciation needed in the text (that's why there are only 4 stars).

The CD presents various works, from the "Berliner Messe" - a rather advanced arrangement - via some biblical themes in English to nearly folk-style slavic tunes. This variety makes this CD probably a good start for people like me who want to know more about Part's work. The recording is nearly flawless, and the ensembles directed by Paul Hillier do a very good job.

They can sing this in Heaven.......2000-08-24

This disc is my first introduction to Arvo Part, and I was awestruck. This mystical work sounds like chant but informed by a millenium of musical advancement. I won't venture an opinion for people who aren't Christian (though I daresay they'd appreciate the music), but personally the communion of saints can sing this in Heaven. The title track alone brought me to tears. The singers are excellent and courageous and the encoding quality of the disc seems flawless. Incidentally, it's amazing Part could make such a startling and moving modern Mass setting and still make it singable for everyday liturgical use.

Average customer rating:

Great!

Arvo Pärt - A Tribute

Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lamentate
Arvo Pärt: A Portrait
Arvo Part: 24 Preludes for a Fugue
Arvo Part: Kanon Pokajanen
Arvo Pärt: De Profundis

ASIN: B0009QXWZU
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Tracks:

Dopo La Vittoria
The Woman With The Alabaster Box
Kyrie
Gloria
First Alleluia Verse
Second Alleluia Verse
Veni Sancte Spiritus
Credo
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
Solfeggio
Magnificat
Bogoroditse Djevo
I Am The True Vine
Which Was The Son Of...

Amazon.com

Those who aren't familiar with the music of Arvo Pärt are, to put it mildly, missing out on great beauty in their lives. His choral music is particularly moving. The pieces use what he refers to as a "tintinnabuli" style, a bell-like series of triads seemingly always in motion. This CD, a tribute to him on his 70th birthday, is comprised of some of his finest and most popular works: The Berliner Messes, Magnificat, "Which Was the Son of..." and others. It also presents a world-premiere recording of "Dopo la vittoria" (Following the Victory), which concerns St Ambrose's Te Deum Laudamus, written after a victory against the Arians. It's stunning, filled with changing textures and telling a good story. The performances, by the finest exponents of Pärt's music in the world, are ideal, and the sound is glorious. Pärt's music is a spiritual experience as well, but even putting that aspect aside, this CD is a feast for the ears. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Great!.......2005-10-22

If you're an Arvo Pärt then there is nothing new. However, the organ orchestration of the Berliner Messe is still impressive. Personally I perfer the Berliner Messe done in his Te Deum cd.