"Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten" by Arvo Pärt, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer
Вставка
- Опубліковано 24 лют 2024
- "Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten" by Arvo Pärt, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer
Original Video: • Arvo Pärt : Cantus in ...
"I don't know a more haunting and moving work than Arvo Pärt's "Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten". For me, it's impossible to listen to this music without bursting into tears. Composed in 1977, a year after the death of the British composer he was particularly fond of, the Estonian musician powerfully expresses the tragedy of existence, the suffering in the face of death.
A single note played on a tubular chime opens, accompanies and concludes the piece. On its first occurrence, a short pattern appears. In canon, it repeats itself tirelessly; from one string stand to another, in a sort of paradoxical crescendo, the duration of its increasingly lower notes stretching out conspicuously as it progresses. Silence then suddenly arises when, one last time, the tubular chime sounds.
In relation with the death of Britten and his Cantus, Pärt said: "Inexplicable feelings of guilt and remorse rose up in me. I had only just discovered Britten for myself. Just before his death, I had begun to appreciate the unusual purity of his music - I had the impression of a kind of purity comparable to that of the ballads of Guillaume de Machaut. And, added to that, for a long time I'd wanted to meet Britten in person - and now that wasn't going to happen." (Wikipedia)
The meeting did not happen, of course. But perhaps it unfolded on an altogether different level with the advent of this work, which perfectly illustrates Wagner's words: "Music begins where the power of words ends". In the face of the tormenting pain of mourning, music alone can save us.
There are many excellent interpretations of Pärt's Cantus. The one that I propose, and that I particularly like, is the one recorded in Paris with the musicians of the Radio-France Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of the excellent conductor Kent Nagano. The configuration is that desired by Pärt with an ensemble which is more reminiscent of a wide chamber orchestra than a large orchestral phalanx (even if the execution of this piece falls only to the strings, tubular chime excepted). This eminent recording therefore fully restores the qualities of the Cantus while avoiding any pathos, any emphasis, not to mention Nagano's sober, precise, almost hieratic conducting!
For the anecdote: when Pärt created the work in 1977, the musicians responsible for performing the work asked him at the first reading of the score: "But where is the music?"
After playing it in full for the first time, they were overwhelmed." - Phil
Stratele Studios FAVORITES:
• Stratele Studios FAVOR...
WANT TO MAKE A PAYPAL DONATION REQUEST? www.stratelestudios.com/request/
Stratele Studios Shop: stratele-studios-shop.creator...
#band #reaction #song #stratelestudios
#societyofadvancedmusicalthought #nopausereactionanalysis
linktr.ee/stratelestudios
My Cameo: www.cameo.com/stratelestudios
Join Patreon for the really good stuff!
Patreon: / stratelestudios
Any donation is so appreciated and encourages me to keep going!
PayPal: paypal.me/jeffcastanon
Venmo: @Stratele-Stratele
Cash App: $StrateleStratele
This is a reaction video used to educate and give feedback related to the artist and the song.
*Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNER.
Pärt is a composer whom I deeply respect. And Britten was, without a doubt, the most profoundly English composer of the 20th century. As a conductor, I also admire his Bach works with the English Chamber Orchestra. So this recording seduces me deeply. Thanks, Jeff
A well of grief as the bell tolls while the strings descend from their highest point to their lowest. A meltingly beautiful outpouring of pure music that seems so simple yet so very heart felt. It almost becomes unbearable in its utter reflection of the loss of a truly great composer. At its best Music goes beyond words and simply stops us and makes us truly listen.
Arvo Pärt is one of my favorite composers, a lot because my mother told me about him, as it was one of her favourites. Fratres especially. Since my mother passed away a few years ago, I have had a hard time listening to AP as there are still too many memories associated with her. I will get over it in due time and start playing AP again.
Wonderful Jeff! Beautiful music can be found in a vast landscape. Your subscribers may have found you because of your Nightwish reactions, like me. But before Nightwish I was into Arvo Pärt and that is a long time love. I remember a concert in Utrecht Netherlands in the 80s where Arvo joyfully climbed the stage in the end, being so happy with the premiere of one of his works.
I got the shivers from the live versions of Pari Intervallo and most definitely from De Profundis. That last one talks about human existence, our vulnerability and the cry for (devine) support. You don't need to be religious to be moved by this mighty music!
Dang....even I started to cry......I was thinking of those I love who are gone....even still with me.
Jeff, I really deeply love the way you feel about music, as I do the way you comment on it! It's so accurate and profound. Thank you so much!
Thank you my brother! That’s some DEEP STUFF! 🥹
Arvo Pärt is one of the composers who are very important to me. Perhaps the most important. I still don’t really understand why, but he is.
WOW! 😧What a wide variety of musical styles we provide for you to react to and present to us.😃
For sure and I love it!!! 😍
Jeff, thanks for including why this was composed. It definitely helped when listening.
Thanks Chris!
So classical and modern at the same time, a real tribute to Britten !
My profoundly talented and deeply loved brother-in-law, classically trained on the cello and the viola de gamba, passionate lover of medieval music, passed a few weeks ago after a horrific year long battle with cancer. While we and his wife and children held our final vigil before his cremation, we played some of his favorite music. As chance would have it, one of the pieces was this. It was not planned and probably should not have been selected. It was brutal, absolutely brutal as we were escorted through the grinding of the soul in the twin vices of the cello and the bass, wretched inexorability into the void, ultimate finality. It was completely overwhelming. It is an absolutely astonishing piece of music but I truly hope that you have never have to experience it head on.
Jeff, I want to thank-you for opening my eyes to music I otherwise never would have heard, including your own. I recently listened to Fever and Put Your Live On Me. Absolutely fantastic. I originally found your channel because of Leonid and Friends, but it has become much more. Thanks again.
Oh wow thanks Jim. How did you hear “Fever” and “Put Your Love on Me”? 😃
I saw an interview you did with Todd Ledbetter. I was curious and checked you out on SoundCloud. Like I said, it was great, and I’ll definitely be listening to more.
@@jimbarnes8706 oh wow, I totally forgot those songs were on SoundCloud! 😊 Thank you
Well said!
I’m not religious I can’t and won’t believe in a supernatural entity that for so long as brought suffering to all but when I listen to to avro part I can believe in humanities heaven
I began to respond to your comment ..."Erik, my man..." but hit the wrong key on my laptop and lost it and couldn't find my way back!
Anyway - what I wanted to write - is that I only write like that for the fun and amusement of those alive on earth whom I know can and will appreciate it.
Wait till my novel - Bonanza in the Bronx - about Erik and his "boys" comes out if you want to see what I can really do - when given a canvas bigger than the Ponderosa to paint upon.
No brag - just fact - I am to writing what Leonid is to music. And the same quality of family, love, courage and fidelity that made Bonanza the iconic powerhouse it was - will be evidenced in my novels.
And my "sons I never had" from hither and yon, from the backs of beyond who found their ways to America so that they could be, become "all they can be" will be among the most amazing young men you have ever read about - or come to know.
Why? How? Because.
Because, Jeff, I am possibly the best mentor of young men alive today. And the books will reflect and tacitly teach the lessons that all young men of courage and character long to be taught and, when they happen to run into a funny older fellow, like your friend Erik? Recognize how lucky they are!
You can believe that I would love to read that book when it’s available! 👏👏👏😎🎊🎉🤛
@@StrateleStudios I will keep you apprised of developments as they unfold!
@@erik1836 please do!