The Arman Ratip

On the occasion of the 85th birthday of Arvo Pärt (September 2020) and the 75th anniversary of the Bavarian Radio Chorus (May 2021). The Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, born in 1935, has succeeded in bringing sacred music back to a broader audience, and away from the confines of the church service, more than almost any other contemporary composer. The meditative character of his works, and his return to the simplest and most basic musical forms, convey moments of intense spirituality. Before his emigration from the Soviet Union, Pärt had already invented what he termed the tintinnabuli style of composition (from the Latin word for a bell). He produced an early and important example of this expressive style in 1977 with his “Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten”, scored for string orchestra and bell.

Rossini's Stabat Mater experienced some birth difficulties; the work had been commissioned by a Spanish aristocrat in 1832 but the following year the composer had only finished half of it, and an illness prevented him from continuing. Eager to be satisfied with his sponsor - and his wallet, no doubt - Rossini asked his friend and colleague Giovanni Tadolini to compose the remaining numbers, and in 1833 resounded in Spain the world premiere of Rossini's Stabat Mater. had not hesitated to sign the entire score without mentioning Tadolini's name. What a little joker! In 1841, the book was bought by a Parisian publisher who was unaware of the deception, Rossini was offended all the more because he had reserved the rights, and after many financial tuggings that are not necessarily to his credit, Rossini himself completed his score which was given in full and integrally Rossini in 1842. The public and the criticism were divided; some observers a bit Germanic felt that for religious music, it sounded like an opera, others rejoiced that although it was religious music, it still looked like an opera. This new recording from the Bavarian Radio Orchestra and Choir, with a fine line of Italian soloists, will delight fans.

From the five-hundred-year old musical history of the Sufi Fakirs of Bengal to the virtuoso musicianship of Calcutta’s guitar master Debashsish Bhattacharya and Carnatic violinist Jyotsna Srikanth, this Rough Guide explores India’s spiritual connections with its ancient musical traditions.

From the five-hundred-year old musical history of the Sufi Fakirs of Bengal to the virtuoso musicianship of Calcutta’s guitar master Debashsish Bhattacharya and Carnatic violinist Jyotsna Srikanth, this Rough Guide explores India’s spiritual connections with its ancient musical traditions.