Composer

:

Arvo Pärt

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1997

Average_duration

:

6:01

Arvo Pärt's "The Woman with the Alabaster Box" is a choral work that was composed in 1997. It premiered on October 12, 1997, at the Niguliste Church in Tallinn, Estonia, performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under the direction of Tõnu Kaljuste. The piece is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a different biblical text. The first movement, "And They Came to Bethany," is a setting of the Gospel of John, Chapter 12, verses 1-3, which tells the story of the woman who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume. The second movement, "Wherefore Hast Thou Forsaken Me?," is a setting of Psalm 22, which is traditionally associated with the crucifixion of Jesus. The third movement, "I Am the True Vine," is a setting of the Gospel of John, Chapter 15, verses 1-5, in which Jesus describes himself as the vine and his followers as the branches. The music of "The Woman with the Alabaster Box" is characterized by Pärt's signature style of "tintinnabuli," which is based on the idea of a bell-like sound. The voices in the choir are arranged in a simple, homophonic texture, with each voice singing the same melody at different times. The harmonies are mostly diatonic, with occasional dissonances that create a sense of tension and release. The first movement begins with a soft, sustained chord that gradually builds in intensity as the choir sings the text. The second movement is more dramatic, with the choir singing in a more declamatory style, punctuated by sudden silences. The third movement is more contemplative, with the choir singing in a gentle, flowing rhythm that evokes the image of a vine growing and spreading. Overall, "The Woman with the Alabaster Box" is a deeply spiritual work that reflects Pärt's own faith and his belief in the power of music to express the ineffable. Its simple, yet profound beauty has made it a favorite of choirs and audiences around the world.

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