Published
In principio
The work is based on the prologue to the Gospel of John, In principio erat verbum (In the beginning was the Word). Like many of Pärt’s compositions, the musical structure derives from the text in Latin. It is composed of five parts.
The composer wishes to emphasise the following idea with a triple repetition: “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” The fourth part, Quotquot autem acceperunt eum (But as many as received him) begins very quietly with an orchestral tutti, increasing in a slow but relentless pulse to a mighty sound stream – a solemn process.
In principio is dedicated to Tõnu Kaljuste, who conducted the Estonian premiere of the composition performed by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra in the Estonia Concert Hall on 27 August 2003.
“His music makes the basic human need for a link between aesthetics, ethics and spirituality clear and perceivable – a need so often subordinated to politics and economics in our society.” Thus the words with which Arvo Pärt was awarded the International Bridge Prize of the twin cities Görlitz and Zgorzelec in 2007.
A serene plea for peace, memories of a deceased friend and contemplation of the ‘peaks and troughs’ of life.