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Works

Vater unser

2019

Scored for

saxophone quartet

Duration

2-3 min

Short description

Vater unser is based on the The Lord’s Prayer in German and is written in 2005 for a boy soprano or countertenor with piano accompaniment. It was first performed in Austria in 2005. Later, Pärt dedicated the piece to the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and in July 2011, Heldur Harry Põlda and Arvo Pärt performed it for the Pope in the Vatican to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

The piece is different from Pärt’s usual work in both its sound and its structure, having been created as a spontaneous song that was independent of the predetermined system. The simple, curving melody line and the harmony of the piano part highlight the idea in the text of “forgive us our sins ... as we forgive ...”.

In 2013 Pärt arranged t…

Vater unser is based on the The Lord’s Prayer in German and is written in 2005 for a boy soprano or countertenor with piano accompaniment. It was first performed in Austria in 2005. Later, Pärt dedicated the piece to the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and in July 2011, Heldur Harry Põlda and Arvo Pärt performed it for the Pope in the Vatican to celebrate the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

The piece is different from Pärt’s usual work in both its sound and its structure, having been created as a spontaneous song that was independent of the predetermined system. The simple, curving melody line and the harmony of the piano part highlight the idea in the text of “forgive us our sins ... as we forgive ...”.

In 2013 Pärt arranged the piece for boy soprano or countertenor and string orchestra or string quintet, which premiered on 3 October 2013 in Wollongong, Australia, performed by the countertenor Andreas Scholl and the string quintet of the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

World premiere

23.03.2019
Arvo Pärt Centre, Laulasmaa, Estonia

Concert: Raschèr Saxophone Quartet

Raschèr Saxophone Quartet (Christine Rall (soprano saxophone), Elliot Riley (alto saxophone), Andreas van Zoelen (tenor saxophone), Kenneth Coon (baritone saxophone))

Performances

02.07.2022

Concert: Festival KlusClassics. Raschèr Saxophone Quartet

Musikzentrum MKZ, Zürich, Switzerland

Raschèr Saxophone Quartet (Christine Rall (soprano saxophone), Elliot Riley (alto saxophone), Andreas van Zoelen (tenor saxophone), Kenneth Coon (baritone saxophone)), Raschèr Saxophone Quartet (Christine Rall (soprano saxophone), Elliot Riley (alto saxophone), Andreas van Zoelen (tenor saxophone), Oscar Trompenaars (baritone saxophone))

Completion year

2019

Original version

2005

Dedication

to the Holy Father, Benedict XVI

Scored for

saxophone quartet

Arranger

Andreas van Zoelen

Duration

2-3 min

Publishers

Universal Edition

Source text

The Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6: 9-13

Vater unser im Himmel,
geheiligt werde Dein Name.
Dein Reich komme.
Dein Wille geschehe,
wie im Himmel so auf Erden.
Unser tägliches Brot gib uns heute.
Und vergib uns unsere Schuld,
wie auch wir vergeben unseren Schuldigern.
Und führe uns nicht in Versuchung,
sondern erlöse uns von dem Bösen.


Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

On December 12, 18 and 23.12–01.01, the Centre is closed to visitors. We apologize for any inconvenience.

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