Composer

:

Arvo Pärt

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Arrangement

Compose Date

:

1991

Average_duration

:

4:53

Arvo Pärt's "Summa" is a minimalist composition for string quartet that was composed in 1977. The piece is based on the Credo section of the Latin Mass and is divided into three movements. The premiere of "Summa" took place in Tallinn, Estonia in 1978. The first movement of "Summa" is marked by a slow and steady tempo, with the strings playing long sustained notes that gradually build in intensity. The second movement is more lively and features a faster tempo, with the strings playing rapid, staccato notes that create a sense of urgency and excitement. The final movement returns to the slower tempo of the first movement, with the strings playing long, sustained notes that gradually fade away. One of the defining characteristics of "Summa" is its use of minimalist techniques, such as repetition and gradual variation. The piece also features Pärt's signature style of tintinnabuli, which involves the use of simple, diatonic melodies that are harmonized with a triad. This creates a sense of clarity and simplicity that is characteristic of Pärt's music. Overall, "Summa" is a powerful and evocative piece of music that showcases Pärt's unique approach to composition. Its minimalist style and use of tintinnabuli create a sense of timelessness and transcendence that is both haunting and beautiful.

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