In principio

In principio for mixed choir and orchestra was completed in 2003, commissioned by the Graz-Seckau Episcopacy for the project Graz 2003 – European Capital of Culture. The composition was first performed by the choir pro musica graz and Capella Istropolitana, conducted by Michael Fendre in the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Graz on 22 May 2003.

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 first and fifth part are formed from two contrasting elements: a static, syllabically articulated chord in A minor from the choir, and in terms of timbre and ton…

In principio for mixed choir and orchestra was completed in 2003, commissioned by the Graz-Seckau Episcopacy for the project Graz 2003 – European Capital of Culture. The composition was first performed by the choir pro musica graz and Capella Istropolitana, conducted by Michael Fendre in the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Graz on 22 May 2003.

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 first and fifth part are formed from two contrasting elements: a static, syllabically articulated chord in A minor from the choir, and in terms of timbre and tone an opposing fanfare-like motive from the brass instruments, which passes through all 12 major keys with increasing dynamics as well as diapason depicting the creation from the word in the beginning. The vocal and instrumental lines change roles in the fifth part. The stable character of the choir is taken over by the orchestra, while the choir carries the dynamic line, giving special weight to the text: “And the Word became flesh”. At the centre of the second part, Fuit homo missus a Deo (There was a man sent from God), there is John the Baptist, and it is musically designed as a single melodic line. The third part, Erat lux vera (That was the true light) is the central part with a tragic undertone. 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.