Cambridge Companion To Arvo Part, The

Description: Arvo Part is one of the most influential and widely performed contemporary composers. Around 1976 he developed an innovative new compositional technique called 'tintinnabuli' (Latin for 'sounding bells'), which has had an extraordinary degree of success. It is frequently performed around the world, has been used in award-winning films, and pieces such as Fur Alina and Spiegel im Siegel have become standard repertoire. This collection of essays, written by a distinguished international group of scholars and performers, is the essential guide to Arvo Part and his music. The book begins with a general introduction to Part's life and works, covering important biographical details and outlining his most significant compositions. Two chapters analyze the tintinnabuli style and are complemented by essays which discuss Part's creative process. The book also examines the spiritual aspect of Part's music and contextualizes him in the cultural milieu of the twenty-first century and in the marketplace.

Contents: Chronology; 1. Introduction: the essential and phenomenal Arvo Part Andrew Shenton; 2. A narrow path to the truth: Arvo Part and the 1960s and 1970s in Soviet Estonia Immo Mihkelson; 3. Arvo Part after 1980 Jeffers Engelhardt; 4. Musical archetypes: the basic elements of the tintinnabuli style Leopold Brauneiss; 5. Analyzing Part Thomas Robinson; 6. Arvo Part: in his own words Andrew Shenton; 7. Bells as inspiration for tintinnabulation Marguerite Bostonia; 8. Arvo Part and spirituality Robert Sholl; 9. The minimalism of Arvo Part: an 'antidote' to modernism and multiplicity? Benjamin Skipp; 10. Arvo Part in the marketplace Laura Dolp; Appendices: A. Radiating from silence: the works of Arvo Part seen through a musician's eyes Andreas Peer Kahler; B. Greatly sensitive: Alfred Schnittke in Tallinn Arvo Part; C. Remembering Heino Eller Arvo Part; D. Acceptance speech for the International Bridge Prize of the city of Gorlitz Arvo Part; E. Acceptance speech given for the Leonie Sonning Music Prize 2008 Arvo Part; Works list; Bibliography.

Author Biography: Andrew Shenton is Associate Professor of Music at Boston University.