Arvo Pärt: Fratres

Arvo Part (Composer), Tamás Benedek (Conductor), Hungarian State Opera Orchestra (Performer), Strings of the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra (Orchestra), Sandor Falvay (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Sandor Falvay
• Orchestra: Strings of the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra
• Conductor: Tamás Benedek
• Composer: Arvo Part
• Audio CD (August 5, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B0000014AG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,387 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem from Naxos, March 5, 2000

By 

S. Laker - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arvo Pärt: Fratres (Audio CD)

Perhaps these aren't the great defining recordings of Part's works. They're certainly good enough. This CD served as my introduction to minimalist music - it was a lot easier to take a chance on a $5 Naxos CD than the $18 ECM recordings of Part's music that I love so very much.

Part is frequently dismissed by certain factions in the classical music community as "New Age Tripe". It is true that his music embodies some of the quiet and contemplative as well as non-traditional elements of some new age compositions, but Part's music is also imbued with an utter dedication to spirituality that is clearly evident in "Cantus in Memory of Bejamin Britten", the last track on the CD. Part has also been called a "Holy Minimalist", a composer whose music is deeply connected to his religious faith. Even one not familiar with the composer or his history will use words like "simple", "meditative", "reverent" and "serene" to describe his works.

Part's music is beguilingly simple. There are deliberate silences that are simply a joy to listen to. Complexity is simply not present in this music - each piece is stripped to the essence of it's musicality.

It's an inspiring thing to hear.

For listeners already familiar with Part's music, this disc offers welcome new interpretations of some of his more recorded works at a price that I, at least, would find difficult to pass up.

I cannot really find fault with this disc. For a new listener, there is a wonderful sampling of listenable music from a still-living classical composer. For those who have enjoyed other music by Part, this is perhaps one of the best "bargain" CDs I have ever found.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent introduction to part at a bargain price, December 26, 1999

By 

vic spicer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arvo Pärt: Fratres (Audio CD)

this is a wonderul little CD- you would think that 6 variations of the same piece would get tedious, but each has a character of it's own. breaking them up are the jaunty "summa for strings" and heatbreaking cantus for benjamin britten. this compares well with the ECM recordings from the mid 80's, and is a bargain at the price.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishing Music, October 5, 2007

By 

AllNightReader "Cassie" (Regina Canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Arvo Pärt: Fratres (Audio CD)

I first heard Part on my car radio and actually parked my car to hear the entire piece. It was Fratres for strings and percussion, found on this CD. I had never heard such wonderful music before and as a Catholic I find myself strongly attracted to the sprituality that embues every note. This is a bargain CD with terrific performances, all very different, that will leave you in tears at the beauty. I don't know what is is about Part; he's a minimalist that touches something very profound with his music and this CD does justice to that. Buy it!