Composer

:

Arvo Pärt

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2007

Average_duration

:

3:05

Morning Star is a choral work composed by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt in 2007. The piece was premiered on September 2, 2007, at the Berliner Philharmonie in Germany, by the Berlin Radio Choir, conducted by Simon Halsey. Morning Star is a four-movement work that is based on texts from the Bible and the Orthodox Church. The first movement, "Veni Creator," is a setting of the Latin hymn that invokes the Holy Spirit. The second movement, "The Woman with the Alabaster Box," is based on the story of a woman who anoints Jesus with expensive perfume. The third movement, "I Am the True Vine," is a setting of Jesus' words from the Gospel of John. The final movement, "Morning Star," is a setting of the Orthodox hymn to the Virgin Mary. The characteristics of Morning Star are typical of Pärt's style, which is often referred to as "holy minimalism." The piece is characterized by a simple, meditative style that emphasizes the beauty of the individual notes and the spaces between them. The choral parts are often sung in unison or in simple harmonies, and the rhythms are slow and deliberate. The piece is also notable for its use of silence, which is used to create a sense of stillness and contemplation. Overall, Morning Star is a beautiful and contemplative work that showcases Pärt's unique style and his ability to create music that is both simple and profound. Its premiere was well-received, and the piece has since become a popular addition to the choral repertoire.

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