Part: Summa

At a mere five minutes, Arvo Pärt's Summa is actually the shortest composition on this CD. But, for its sheer, austere beauty, the work makes a fitting introduction to this orchestral disc. Pärt's trademark "tintinnabulation" style is in full effect on this sublime recording. Each of these works sounds simple and minimalist, yet also achingly profound. In Pärt's Symphony No. 3 (the earliest piece here, dating from 1971), the roots of his groundbreaking technique are just beginning to take shape: the ringing of bells, the calculated tension, and the hints of early music all add to the three-movement work's drama. For Trisagion and Silouans Song, the pace slows down, and the string orchestra resonates like a haunting church organ (it's easy to sense the enormous influence of Pärt's Eastern Orthodox religion, even on these instrumental compositions). Paavo Järvi and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra are naturals at interpreting the contemplative music of their country's most famous composer, and the sound quality throughout is excellent. There are far too many Pärt CDs to recommend, but this one will easily serve as an excellent introduction to the composer's magical sonic universe. --Jason Verlinde