New work by Arvo Pärt titled "Tractus" unveiled by ECM
Germany's ECM Records has unveiled Estonian composer Arvo Paart's latest original album, "Tractus." Features include the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, and soprano Maria Listra, under the direction of conductor Tõnu Kaljuste. Tractus has been acclaimed by the US National Public Radio as one of the ten best classical albums of 2023.
Recorded in Tallinn in 2022, "Tractus" marks Arvo Paart's seventeenth collaboration with ECM producer Manfred Eicher, dating back to the epochal Tabula rasa in 1984. Curated by Kaljuste, the album showcases Paart's compositions from the past few decades and offers a snapshot of his more recent work.
Take its name from the opening piece, "Littlemore Tractus," whose spiritually evocative lyrics set the tone for the entire collection. The piece, reflecting on peace and reflection in the twilight of life, provides a soothing counterpoint to the world's turbulence.
"In recent years, some of Arvo Paart's previously unrecorded works have been whispering to me from the shelves," Kaljuste stated. "Our discussions with Arvo have focused on new versions and past premieres. This album is a mix of both." Tractus includes a brand-new arrangement, with Kaljuste combining the choir and chamber orchestra in the opening piece, "Littlemore Tractus," originally composed for choir and organ.
The US National Public Radio (NPR) has named "Tractus" one of the ten best classical albums of 2023. NPR's Tom Huizenga lauded the album, noting Kaljuste's long history of conducting Paart's music, the compositions' ability to offer comfort and solace, and the album's timing amidst the current global strife. Huizenga applauded the musicality's emotional depth and the power it holds to transcend words and evoke deep feelings of peace and tranquility.
The album "Tractus" by Arvo Paart, is not only recorded in his hometown Tallinn but also marks a significant seventeen-year collaboration between Paart and ECM producer Manfred Eicher. This album, curated by conductor Tõnu Kaljuste, offers a glimpse into Paart's culture through his compositions from the past few decades, showcased in Tallinn's entertainment scene. The opening piece, "Littlemore Tractus," with its spiritually evocative lyrics, reflects on peace and reflection in the twilight of life, providing a soothing counterpoint to the world's turbulence, much like the tranquility life in Estonia often conveys.
