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Track(s) taken from CDA68056

Zwei Beter

First line:
Jesus sprach zu einigen
composer
1998; SSSAAA unaccompanied; composed for the Mädchenchor Hannover
author of text
Luke 18: 9-14

Polyphony, Stephen Layton (conductor), Rachel Ambrose Evans (soprano)
Studio Master FLAC & ALAC downloads available
CD-Quality:
Studio Master:
CD-Quality:
Studio Master:
Recording details: August 2013
All Hallows, Gospel Oak, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Adrian Peacock
Engineered by David Hinitt
Release date: October 2014
Total duration: 5 minutes 10 seconds
 

Reviews

‘This one is something special. In part this is because of the choice of repertoire, which mixes the familiar and the less-often heard, and includes two first recordings, and in part it is because of the exquisite sound produced by Polyphony … highly recommended’ (Gramophone)

‘The ever-excellent Polyphony and Stephen Layton have put together a very special disc of music by Pärt for the composer’s 80th birthday ... The hour-long programme ranges from Solfeggio (1963) to the recent Virgencita (2012) in its first recording. The perfectly balanced, richly warm tones of Polyphony, especially its outstanding bass section, suit Pärt’s translucent textures extremely well, and one can’t help but admire the power of this supposedly ‘simple’ music’ (Choir & Organ)» More

‘There is no shortage of recitals of Arvo Pärt's shorter choral works in catalogue, but anything by Polyphony is always welcome … Polyphony's sound is, as always, so rich and beautiful that there is no sense of anything missing’ (BBC Music Magazine)» More
PERFORMANCE
RECORDING

‘This disc of Pärt's choral music is one of the most singularly beautiful recordings I've heard this year … this is a stunning addition to Pärt’s ever-increasing discography and is unreservedly recommended’ (International Record Review)» More
Zwei Beter, a setting of the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican from St Luke’s Gospel, was written in 1998 for the Hanover Girls Choir. Pärt makes a clear distinction in his writing between the Gospel narrative, the prayers of the Pharisee and the Publican, and Jesus’ concluding analysis of the parable. He reserves the most distinctive passages for the Publican’s show of humility—closely parallel triplets in as many as six parts—and the imposing, thick-harmonied words of Christ. The final ‘Amen’, needless to say, is charming and distinctive too.

from notes by Meurig Bowen © 2014

Zwei Beter, qui met en musique la parabole du pharisien et du publicain tirée de l’évangile selon saint Luc, fut écrit en 1998 pour le Hanover Girls Choir. Pärt établit clairement la distinction entre le récit évangélique, les prières du pharisien et du publicain, et l’analyse conclusive de Jésus. Il réserve les passages les plus spécifiques à l’humilité montrée par le publicain—des triolets étroitement parallèles, à six parties maximum—et aux paroles imposantes, harmoniquement denses, du Christ.

extrait des notes rédigées par Meurig Bowen © 2014
Français: Hypérion

Zwei Beter, eine Vertonung des Gleichnisses vom Pharisäer und Zöllner aus dem Lukas-Evangelium, wurde 1998 für den Mädchenchor Hannover geschrieben. Pärt unterscheidet in seiner Komposition klar zwischen der Geschichte aus dem Evangelium, den Gebeten des Pharisäers und des Zöllners und der abschließenden Deutung des Gleichnisses durch Jesus. Pärt reserviert die markantesten Passagen für das demütige Verhalten des Zöllners—dichte parallele Triolen in nicht weniger als sechs Stimmen—und die eindrucksvollen, reichharmonisierten Worte von Jesus Christus. Das letzte „Amen“ ist natürlich reizvoll und ebenfalls unverwechselbar.

aus dem Begleittext von Meurig Bowen © 2014
Deutsch: Christiane Frobenius

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