Trivium

The organ piece Trivium is one of the first works created in the new style, which were performed by Hortus Musicus on 27 October 1976 in the Estonia Concert Hall, Tallinn. For the very first time the audience heard the word tintinnabuli, the name of Pärt’s new composition technique, as the title of the first part of this legendary concert.

Trivium is the only one of these seven works, where the instrumentation has not changed since the 1976 concert. Back then, it was performed by Rolf Uusväli, one of the most outstanding Estonian organ soloists and Arvo Pärt’s former colleague from his days at Estonian Radio.

The Latin title of the work, Trivium, stands for three paths, which lead in the same destination – the Truth. The work is co…

The organ piece Trivium is one of the first works created in the new style, which were performed by Hortus Musicus on 27 October 1976 in the Estonia Concert Hall, Tallinn. For the very first time the audience heard the word tintinnabuli, the name of Pärt’s new composition technique, as the title of the first part of this legendary concert.

Trivium is the only one of these seven works, where the instrumentation has not changed since the 1976 concert. Back then, it was performed by Rolf Uusväli, one of the most outstanding Estonian organ soloists and Arvo Pärt’s former colleague from his days at Estonian Radio.

The Latin title of the work, Trivium, stands for three paths, which lead in the same destination – the Truth. The work is composed of three short sections with the same melody but a different use of the options offered by the tintinnabuli technique.