Arvo Pärt (Oxford Studies of Composers)

Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is a unique voice in today's music. Using a tonal idiom based on a mixture of scales and triads, Pärt created a style called "tintinnabuli." In this first full-length study, Paul Hillier draws on his own considerable experience working with Pärt and his music to explore the famous tintinnabuli works in depth. Hillier covers the music of Pärt's earlier, somewhat neglected serial period as well, and sheds valuable light on the development of Pärt's music by looking at Pärt's biography and at the influences of Russian Orthodox spirituality, minimalism, and early music. With the increasing popularity of recording and performing Pärt's music, Hillier's own thoughts on performance issues will be especially welcome in the world of contemporary music. The book includes appendices containing a discography, a bibliography, and a list of works. Read more