The Bible and Music

Arvo Part is not only the most performed living composer in the world, but has also had this title for six years. He is heavily admired, not only by classical artists, but rock musicians as well. Part’s pieces are usually very slow, long, solemn, and have a lot of depth. His compositions are often associated with the term “holy minimalism”. “Holy Minimalists” such as Gorecki, Taverner, and Part are explicitly religious and compose using sacred texts. His compositions have very little melody and very little tonality, but are easy to tell apart from other compositions. Arvo Part created a new style of tonality that became known as “tintinnabuli” or “little bells”. His first piece that used this technique was “Fur Alina” and was composed in 1979. What is most striking about Part’s compositions is that, regardless of if you’re religious or not, you will still notice the oppositions that are symbolized by his “tintinnabuli” technique. The two notes that are played together throughout the compositions can symbolize several oppositions. These complimentary notes can symbolize sin and forgiveness, good and evil, and even life and death. Part’s tonality and technique is unique from other composers and is what sets his compositions apart from those of other composers.