Tabula Rasa (The Best of Arvo Pärt)

Member Name: peel.rebekah

Product:	The Best of Arvo Pärt
Date:	25/02/01 (136 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Relaxing, easy and beautiful.

Disadvantages: None

This is the cd I listened to most frequently while I was pregnant. I know that the popular choice is pan pipes or that awful waterfall, tinkly spiritual stuff, but nothing could compare to the calm that fell across myself and my bump when I listened to Arvo Part's Tabula Rasa.

Part was born in Estonia (I'm not quite sure when),and grew up in Talinn under the severe influence of the Soviet Union.
He didn't have a particularly religious background, yet when he started writing music, his desire was to write 'prayers'.

That's not necessarily prayers in a literal sense, more the music that would be a prayer in its calmness, serenity and pureness. Some prayer texts were written and set to music, other psalms were taken and treated the same way, but most of his available work is orchestral.

Tabula Rasa consists of four works: Frates, Cantus in memory of Benjamin Britten, Frates (a different piece from the first) and Tabula Rasa itself.

Frates (the original), was written in 1977, variations on it were written later (ie the third piece on the album). There is a violin intro which is unusually hectic for Part (as you soon find out), to a composed and restrained piano, the violin then following in sequences, sometimes at speed, sometimes in pace.

Cantus was written in memorial of Benjamin Britten (death - 1976), which touched Part deeply. He had only recently discovered Britten's work, and felt terrible remorse for never meeting with him. The piece is funereal and sombre, slow and flowing; The violins and cellos are continuously interupted with the tolling of church bells.

The second Frates is more sedate than the first. This time several cellos hold the piece, with another cello gliding beneath in deep tones.

Tabula Rasa is an absolute masterpiece of minimilist charm;Two violins play, chase each others notes and interject each others path, then silence, then the quiet game starts a
gain; An especially prepared piano chimes in the distance.

These are such humble and quiet pieces, they sound like little secrets being whispered in your ear! For all of you who enjoy exploring music, then I heartily suggest a quiet moment alone with this album.

Also available: Misere, Passio, Arbos.

Summary: