On June 12, Arvo Pärt’s new version of Stabat mater (1985/2008) for mixed choir and string orchestra will be premiered in Vienna Musikverein within the Wiener Festwochen. The work will be performed by Tonkünstler-Orchester Niederösterreich and Vienna Friends of Music Society Chorus under the conducting of Kristjan Järvi.
Stabat mater for string trio and three voices was written in 1985 and was commissioned by Alban Berg Foundation for composer’s 100th birthday. In the new version, commissioned by Tonkünstler-Orchester Niederösterreich, the three instrumental lines of the string trio are expanded to five orchestral parts, while the three vocal lines are given to a mixed chorus. In addition, the programme includes 3rd and 4th movement of Olivier Messiaen’s „L’Ascension” and Sergei Prokofiev’s Suite from Romeo and Juliet.
Mariliis Valkonen