Monday, August 11, 2008

"Spiegel im Spiegel" ("Mirror in the Mirror")

I just heard a beautiful piece of music called "Spiegel im Spiegel" ("Mirror in the Mirror") by contemporary Estonian composer Arvo Pärt
played by cellist Zuill Bailey and pianist Awadagin Pratt. This is an podcast I can't seem to access, perhaps you'll have better luck: http://saintpaulsunday.publicradio.org/artists/artist/index.php?ac=bailey_pratt.

Here is a review by Jane Palmer in the World-Herald, Omaha, Nebraska, April 2008:
Cello-piano duo enchant audience


Heavenly music briefly held an audience in rapt attention Tuesday night at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

Inspired by the clarity of sound in the Kiewit Concert Hall during the first half of their program, cellist Zuill Bailey and pianist Awadagin Pratt changed their second half performance choice. They picked the emotional "Spiegel im Spiegel" ("Mirror in the Mirror") by contemporary Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.

Notes hung in the air. The audience soaked them in as if they were gentle strokes of the hair and sips of luscious wine. Heads were still. Feet were still.

Compared to the complex Mendelssohn and Shostakovich compositions in the first half of the program, this Pärt piece for piano and cello was simple. The impact came from the way a single note, one finger strike on a single piano key for example, could convey a melody and resonate in the hall. The moment was simply perfect.

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