Arvo Part

Question 1

Arvo Part is one of the most popular and ___________ composers in recent years. Among the appealing aspects of his music are a return to _________________ combined with ____________.

Answer 1

Arvo Part is one of the most popular and frequently performed composers in recent years. Among the appealing aspects of his music are a return to tonal-modal harmonies combined with an uplifting spirituality.

Question 2

His choral music is particularly renowned, merging ________ with ______________.

Answer 2

His choral music is particularly renowned, merging neo-Romanticism with minimalism.

Question 3

Part’s _________ and _________ music has found its way into over fifty _________. This is not surprising given his background as a ______________.

Answer 3

Part’s dreamy and meditative music has found its way into over fifty films. This is not surprising given his background as a composer of film scores.

Question 4

Which years represented a breakaway from his earlier works and style?

Answer 4

In the 50’s and 60’s he explored serial technique but grew tired of its constraints

Question 5

Describe Part’s collage technique

Answer 5

He used borrowed material from Bach and Tchaikovsky for example, and inserted it into serial composition

Question 6

Summarize Part’s journey in searching for his own creative voice?

Answer 6

He tried serial composition but grew tired of it’s constraints. Tried a collage technique of inserting borrowed material into serial composition. Withdrew from composition to study medieval and rennaisance works.

Question 7

What year did Part emerge with his own unique style, and what was it called?

Answer 7

In 1976 he re-emerged with a new style that he termed tintinnabulation; first piece in this style was a piano miniature Fur Alina that featured widely spaced pitches, open intervals and sonorous pedal tone

Question 8

Which song brought Part to international prominence?

Answer 8

the string ensemble Fratres

Question 9

Because of their subject matter and hypnotic effect, Part’s style has been deemed:

Answer 9

Spiritual minimalism

Question 10

How does Part strive for the “beauty of simplicity”?

Answer 10

isolates single notes, limits the number of pitches through tintinnabulation, usage of slow rhythms, soft dynamics and reflective silences

Question 11

Name two choral works:

Answer 11

St John Passion, Cantate Domino canticum novum

Question 12

Name two solo vocal works

Answer 12

Stabat Mater, My heart’s in the Highlands

Question 13

Name one orchestral work

Answer 13

Cantus in Mamory of Benjamin Britten

Question 14

Name two instrumental works

Answer 14

Fur Alina (piano), Fratres (string ensemble)