Arvo Pärt 
Litany 

★★★★

To be quite honest this release was one of the more engaging releases by Pärt. That first track, "Litany" is a sweepingly religious piece that carries its weight pretty well. I do think the first half is a bit boring and lackluster but around halfway through the song there's a shift. A shift towards darkness and almost claustrophobic feelings given by the instrumentation, which is juxtaposed against the sharp cut of the choral section. "Psalom" was probably my least favorite of the three. While it stays pretty meditative and serene, there's nothing captivating about it and it falls flat compared to the rest of the material, especially the last song. "Trisagion" is a beautiful and haunting work that stirs much emotion. Feelings of loss and bitter defeat while nothing remains. Like a villager who has traveled for months only to return to his village and see nothing but ashes and fire stained bones. Some of the best string work that Pärt has ever arranged. 

Favorite Song: Trisagion

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