Pärt 1

Listening to the opening of the first movement of Arvo Pärt's first symphony, it is hard to recognise him as the composer of the third symphony or some of his later works. This is definitely a more conventionally "modern" work and pehaps all the better for that. I doubt if Pärt has been a person to compromise in his life, music or religion and I must respect him for that. The movement becomes more obviously influenced by Shostakovich and less noticeably original, but this is music to engage and, for me, to enjoy. The second movement is more clearly atonal, certainly at its opening and represents a tougher, exciting listen.