Beautiful music by Pärt and Moody

Beautiful music by Pärt and Moody

The Church Music Festival highlights the contemporary composers Arvo Pärt and Ivan Moody, with the works Stabat Mater and Simeron – two works in an intimate arrangement for three singers and three strings. Both Pärt’s and Moody’s works are characterised by the composers’ connection to the Orthodox Church. Pärt’s Stabat Mater is, like his other works, deeply rooted in the composer’s personal faith. His characteristic tintinnabuli style is closely related to his conversion to and immersion in the Orthodox Church. Recently diseased Ivan Moody (1964–2024) was also active in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and his music is closely connected with Pärt’s compositional language. Simeron takes its text from the Byzantine Holy Week Rite, written by Bishop Melito of Sardis. In Moody’s music, there is an accessible simplicity and purity, which complements Pärt’s music well. The works are performed by Ssens Trio and the singers Ditte Marie Bræin (soprano), Daniel Sæther (counter-tenor), and Øystein Stensheim (tenor).