Composer

:

Arvo Pärt

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2017

First Performance

:

February 18, 2018

Average_duration

:

06:08

"And I heard a voice..." (Ja ma kuulsin hääle...) is a choral work composed by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt in 1990. The piece was premiered on September 8, 1990, by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under the direction of Tõnu Kaljuste. The work is divided into three movements, each of which is based on a text from the Book of Revelation. The first movement, "And I heard a voice...," is a setting of Revelation 14:13. The second movement, "And I looked, and behold a pale horse," is a setting of Revelation 6:8. The final movement, "But blessed are the dead," is a setting of Revelation 14:14-13. Pärt's composition style is characterized by his use of tintinnabuli, a technique he developed in the 1970s. Tintinnabuli is a compositional method that involves the use of two voices, one of which moves in a stepwise motion while the other voice moves in a series of triads. This creates a bell-like sound, which is where the technique gets its name. In "And I heard a voice...," Pärt uses tintinnabuli to create a sense of otherworldliness and transcendence. The choir sings in a slow, meditative style, with each voice moving in a deliberate, measured way. The effect is one of stillness and contemplation, as if the choir is inviting the listener to enter into a sacred space. The second movement, "And I looked, and behold a pale horse," is more dramatic and intense than the first. The choir sings in a more forceful, declamatory style, with the voices rising and falling in waves. The effect is one of foreboding and unease, as if the listener is witnessing a scene of great turmoil and upheaval. The final movement, "But blessed are the dead," returns to the meditative style of the first movement. The choir sings in a hushed, reverential tone, with the voices blending together in a seamless harmony. The effect is one of peace and serenity, as if the choir is offering a benediction to the listener. Overall, "And I heard a voice..." is a powerful and moving work that showcases Pärt's unique compositional style. Through his use of tintinnabuli and his careful attention to text setting, Pärt creates a sense of transcendence and spiritual contemplation that is both timeless and deeply moving.

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