09.09

Arvo Pärt Days. ALBUMS: MISERERE

IV MISERERE (1991, ECM New Series 1430)

Miserere
Festina lente
Sarah Was Ninety Years Old

Else Torp (soprano)
Iris Oja (alto)
Endrik Üksvärav (tenor)
Tõnis Kaumann (baritone)
William Gaunt (bass-baritone)
Ene Salumäe (organ)
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
Conductor Paul Hillier

Created in 1989 'Miserere' is one of the most dramatic and contrast-rich among  other Arvo Pärt's  tintinnabuli style pieces, at the same time certainly being the central work of the disc and of all the composer's works in general.

The Hilliard Ensemble played an essential role in the performance practice of the work and according to  Arvo Pärt's words without  their perfect interpretation and pure sound there wouldn't be any 'Miserere'.

Therefore it is very significant that the concert introducing this disc is conducted by Paul Hillier, one of the founders and ex-members of the Hilliard Ensemble.

The ECM album was nominated for Grammy's best classical contemporary composition award.