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Works

Swansong

Hamburger Fassung

2013 / 2021

Scored for

great symphony orchestra

Duration

6 min

Short description

Composed in 2013, Swansong was inspired by the commission of the Mozartwoche Festival in Salzburg, where Arvo Pärt was the festival composer in 2014. It is an orchestral version of Littlemore Tractus, initially written for choir and organ in celebration of the 200th anniversary of cardinal John Henry Newman (1801–1890). Cardinal Newman was a very important person in 19th century England – a minister, theologian, poet and thinker who wished to bring Catholic liturgical traditions to the Anglican Church. In 1845, he converted to Catholicism, causing serious polemic in church circles. In 2010, Newman was declared ‘Blessed’ by Pope Benedict XVI.

The work is based on the final lines of one of Newman’s most famous sermons, Wisdom and Innocence, held on 19 …

Composed in 2013, Swansong was inspired by the commission of the Mozartwoche Festival in Salzburg, where Arvo Pärt was the festival composer in 2014. It is an orchestral version of Littlemore Tractus, initially written for choir and organ in celebration of the 200th anniversary of cardinal John Henry Newman (1801–1890). Cardinal Newman was a very important person in 19th century England – a minister, theologian, poet and thinker who wished to bring Catholic liturgical traditions to the Anglican Church. In 1845, he converted to Catholicism, causing serious polemic in church circles. In 2010, Newman was declared ‘Blessed’ by Pope Benedict XVI.

The work is based on the final lines of one of Newman’s most famous sermons, Wisdom and Innocence, held on 19 February 1843 in Littlemore. Over time, this short poetic text has become an independent prayer, used also in Anglican funeral liturgy. The prayer for "a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last" has found a hymn-like expression in Pärt's music. 

Swansong was premiered in January 2014, with Mark Minkowski conducting the Vienna Philharmonic. The Estonian premiere took place in summer 2015 at the Pärnu Music Festival, performed by the festival orchestra conducted by Paavo Järvi.

 

World premiere

29.01.2014
Großes Festspielhaus, Salzburg, Austria

Concert: Vienna Philharmonic, Marc Minkowski

Vienna Philharmonic , Marc Minkowski (conductor)

Performances

05.12.2021

Concert: 4. Philharmonisches Konzert

Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg, Germany

Vienna Philharmonic , Marc Minkowski (conductor), Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra , Kent Nagano (conductor)

Completion year

2013

Revision year

2021

Commissioned by

Original commission: Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg (Stiftung Mozarteum Salzburg). Commission of Hamburger Fassung, 2021: The Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra and their music director Kent Nagano for the St. Michael's Festival 2022 in Hamburg

Scored for

great symphony orchestra

Duration

6 min

Publishers

Universal Edition

Instrumentation details

Orchestra: 2332, 4230, percussion (3), harp (1-2), strings

Source text

“Wisdom and Innocence”
by John Henry Newman (1801–1890).
From sermon preached on 19th February 1843 in Littlemore

May He support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done! Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last.
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