Orient & Occident

This disc of works by Arvo Pärt fascinates from start to finish, and it is the recording debut of all three compositions. The first, "Pilgrim's Song," composed by Pärt for a recently deceased friend, is a movingly sad setting of Psalm 121--"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills..."--consisting alternately of strings accompanying a men's choir intoning the same note for most of the piece, and sections for strings alone, which are far more wandering and searching. The second piece, for string orchestra alone, is similar: a melodic line ambles through the piece, while on top of it are somewhat more jagged interjections by higher strings with an oriental flavor. The effect is of never-ending melody. The last and longest work, scored for full orchestra, women's choir, and solo soprano, are translations into Spanish of two more psalms. This is a troubled work depicting the soul suffering, praying, and questioning God until it comes to terms. The large orchestra allows Pärt to color the text brilliantly, with occasional ferocious dissonances, and the chorus and soloist have some very difficult, high-flying music to sing. The performances are all first-rate. This is a disc to return to over and over again, with new discoveries and new subtleties awaiting at every turn. --Robert Levine