Composer

:

Arvo Pärt

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

1976 - 1984

Average_duration

:

7:15

"An den Wassern zu Babel saßen wir und weinten" is a choral work composed by Arvo Pärt in 1976. The piece is based on Psalm 137, which describes the sorrow of the Israelites in captivity in Babylon. The work is scored for mixed choir a cappella and is approximately 7 minutes in length. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement begins with a slow and mournful melody sung by the sopranos, which is then taken up by the rest of the choir. The music is characterized by long, sustained notes and a sense of longing and sadness. The second movement is more rhythmic and features a faster tempo. The choir sings in a more declamatory style, with the text being emphasized through the use of repeated notes and staccato rhythms. The final movement returns to the slower tempo of the first movement, with the choir singing in a more subdued and reflective manner. One of the most striking characteristics of "An den Wassern zu Babel saßen wir und weinten" is its use of silence. Pärt employs his signature technique of "tintinnabuli," which involves the use of simple, diatonic melodies and the pairing of notes in a way that creates a sense of harmonic tension and release. The music is often punctuated by moments of silence, which serve to heighten the emotional impact of the piece. The work premiered in 1976 in Tallinn, Estonia, and has since become one of Pärt's most popular choral works. Its haunting beauty and emotional depth have made it a favorite among choirs and audiences alike. "An den Wassern zu Babel saßen wir und weinten" is a powerful testament to the enduring power of music to express the deepest human emotions.

More....