Complete symphonies (cd)

Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Eva Ollikainen

Pärt: Symphony No. 1, Op. 9 "Polyphonic"
Pärt: Symphony No. 2
Pärt: Symphony No. 3
Pärt: Symphony No. 4 ‘Los Angeles’

The four symphonies of Arvo Pärt were composed over a span of forty-five years, and bear little or no relationship with one another—four individual pieces that represent his output at separate parts of his creative journey. The First Symphony (1963) looks to the baroque with its Canons and a Prelude and Fugue, but employs an advanced harmonic language. The Second Symphony (1966) uses a combination of serialism and textures hinting at the Polish school. The Third Symphony (1971) reflects the time Pärt spent studying chant and mediaeval music. Symphony No. 4 'Los Angeles' (2007–08) is directly inspired by sacred music, taking as its models two great litanies of the Orthodox Church: the Canon of Repentance and the Canon to the Holy Guardian Angel. Unusually scored for strings, harp, timpani, and percussion, this final work is also cast in three movements. Eva Ollikainen, Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra since 2020, leads this comprehensive overview of Pärt’s symphonic output.