Part: Johannes-Passion

Condomino Choir (Artist, Composer), Satomaa (Artist, Conductor), Tauno Satomaa (Artist), Candomino Choir (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Conductor: Satomaa
• Composer: Condomino Choir
• Audio CD (August 7, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Elektra / Wea
• ASIN: B00005B0R8
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #377,210 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Passio Domini Mostri Jesu Christi... - Candomino Chor/Tauno Satomaa

2. Dixi Vobis, Quia Ego Sum... - Jorma Hynninen

3. Ego Palam Locutus Sum Mundo... - Jorma Hynninen

4. Et Misit Eum Annas Ligatum... - Tuuli LinderTeppo Lampela/Jukka Vaari/Hannu Holma

5. Quam Accustionem Affertis Adversus... - Topi Lehtipuu

6. Regnum Meum Non Est De Hoc Mundo... - Jorma Hynninen

7. Ecce Adduco Vobis Eum Foras... - Topi Lehtipuu

8. Et Exinde Quaerebat Pilatus... - Tuuli LinderTeppo Lampela/Jukka Vaari/Hannu Holma

9. Mulier, Ecce Filius Tuus... - Jorma Hynninen

10. Qui Passus Es Pro Nobis... - Candomino Chor/Tauno Satomaa

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Written in 1982, this work represents Arvo Pärt's late style, whose central elements are medieval and Renaissance modes and triads. Its static quality, narrow melodic compass, and repetitiousness make the music an acquired taste. But its monastic austerity, solemnity, and stark simplicity seem to offer an oasis of calm in a restless world. Those who associate the "Passion" with Bach's version are in for several surprises. Pärt uses the familiar text but in Latin, which has the effect of putting listeners at a distance from the events described. The Evangelist's narration is delivered by four soloists, alternately or together; the part of Pilate is given to a tenor; the Chorus represents the multitude as well as certain characters; and the accompanying group consists of instrumental soloists. Only Jesus remains a baritone.

The piece begins, and essentially remains, in A minor, revolving around and returning to the A minor triad. The rhythmic motion is consistently in unison; there is no counterpoint or independence of voices. Contrast is created by changes in vocal register and instrumental timbre. The music is slow and homophonic; motion and dissonance are reserved for climactic moments: the striking of Jesus, the flagellation, and especially the Crucifixion. Pilate's lyrical tenor voice adds fervor to his pleading for Jesus and his refusal to pass judgment on him, thus reinforcing the old contention that St. John's Gospel is tainted by anti-Semitism. Jesus' words upon the cross have an otherworldly feeling; the piece ends with his death on a sudden, brilliant D major chord. The performance could not be better. The singers are all splendid, and Jorma Hynninen as Jesus makes one wish to hear him in Bach's Passions. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars certainly not bach, but beautiful, September 20, 2001

By 

p dizzle "p dizzle" (augusta, georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Part: Johannes-Passion (Audio CD)

arvo part is a modern master of contemplative classical music. at once avant garde, but at the same time rooted in centuries old traditions, he constructs new music that does not rely on dissonance or atonality, but sends familiar forms into new directions. here he tackles the passion narrative of the gospel of john. done in latin, the listener will probably have to follow along with the provided libretto in the liner notes if they want to follow the gospel narrative. however, this is not necessary. part creates a soundscape that at once communicates the depth and spirituality of the passion narrative. he employs ancient forms (renaissance vocal groupings and structures) that somehow get the point across-- the death of jesus is a deeply profound moment that no one quite understood nor has a handle on even now. the latin symbolically emphasizes the mystery of the passion, yet the music is emotive drawing the listener in through something other than intellect, which in the end is true of any faith expression. this is a wonderful work, well worth repeated listens.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new way of listening to music, February 24, 2005

By 

Leonardo "Leo" (Argentina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Part: Johannes-Passion (Audio CD)

Name your favourite composer. Name the composer you dislike most. Name another composer with works you like or love. No matter you choose (exception those who compose like Part's) baroque, Renaissance, Classical, romantic, most of XXth century... all "serious" "academic" (opposed to "popular")music, I think, is based in expansion. Take one or more motifs and expand them, make variations, change colours. A reference exemple is the beggining of Beethoven's fifth symphony: the opening motif is a stupid tatatataaa - tatatataaa. But see what LvB does: a (7) minute movement or perfectly coordinated expansion of this motif (of course there is a second subject but I stress how he develops the motif).
And then throw centuries of knowledge into the trash can. Oh man, you have to have more than a good pair of testicles to do that!! For here you have 60 minutes of the same musical motif in the Evangelist part. Boring? If you listen with this thinking frame (expansion-and-variety), of ccourse. But this gem requests you to be patient. And be engulfed by its ascetic, trascendent beauty. Here variety is achieved by contrasts of textures, and it is achieved in the details. It is a sad work, of course, but which enlightens you at the end. If you want something original, please don't buy a new Schubert chamber work, a new Beethoven piano sonata or Mozart opera. I think anyone which is thinking in buying Part already has the esentials by those great composers. You musical library will expand a lot, more conceptually than in quantity, with this set, rather than with another famous composer's work, because Part, with silence, defies the very basic way of musical thinking which lies beneath apparently different musical periods. I'm not saying this is the first work to do that but here we talk about SJP. To give space to this CD in your library requires a good dosis of courage. It is worth investigating.
About the performance: seems good to me. I don't know the Naxos and the ECM sets.