October 3rd at 7 p.m.
Großschönau, Ev.-Luth. ChurchArvo Pärt: Passio
Daniela Valtová Kosinová – organ
Jan Fišer – violin
Lukáš Pospíšil – cello
Vladislav Borovka – oboe
Martin Petrák – bassoon
Jiří Brückler: Ježíš – baritone
Václav Čížek: Pilát – tenor
Alena Hellerová: evangelista – soprano
Kamila Mazalová: evangelista – alt
Matúš Šimko: evangelista – tenor
Martin Vacula: evangelista – bass
Martinů Voices
Lukáš Vasilek – choir director, conductor
The modern counterpart to Bach's St. John Passion is one of the most important works by the current Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. The contemplatively told story of Jesus brings its deepest substance to life and shines with an extraordinary shine in the heart of Pärt's music. Pärt does not dress his religious works in a lavish guise; here too he chose a strict and economical minimalist style, which relies spartanly on only three keys and the most basic musical means, with which he achieves an extraordinarily sublime effect. The awe-inspiring work is practically static, almost hypnotic in its harmonious slowness and time-honored ritual mood. And then suddenly it hits you... at the end, when Christ is on the cross and is about to die, the four evangelists suddenly join in a unison tone, and then there is silence... death... the spirit continues. Then comes another extraordinary moment, the choral chord runs through your whole body and you feel ice cold. It's like the richest Brahms you've ever heard, and it becomes clear to you that right now, after death, comes hope and eternal life... One of the most wonderful musical moments you've ever heard, and it you realize that right now, after death, comes hope and eternal life... One of the most wonderful musical moments you could wish to hear...
