| Divine Mystery (review from amazon.com) |
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Arcanum (Latin: "Mystery") is a set of vocal and chamber orchestral works written by Argentinian compoer Ezequiel Vinao. For some reason, Argentina has produced some of the most wonderful composers since the 20th Century (the luminous Ginastera, Lalo Schifrin, Astor Piazzola to name a few of the greats, and omitting so many more.) Vinao has been compared to Arvo Part of Estonia. I think it's obvious, however,that Vinao's music is more like Messiaen's, with whom he studied.
This work is almost ageless in its sound--spanning the centuries effortlessly. The composition is for single voice (here, soprano Janet Youngdahl) and a small orchestra of oboe or cor anglais, trombone, percussion, tabla, violins, cello and base. The texts range from Ecclesiates, Plutarch, Virgil, Augustine, and the new Testament as well. It is meditative in tone, the tempo is fairly even as an adagio and rarely moves faster than moderato. Estonian conductor Kristjan Jarvi directs this work with great feeling and Youngdahl has the right sort of voice (sacred music and ancient music) though sometimes lacks the exquisite purity this demands (I would have loved to hear Gundila Janowitz or the late Lucia Popp sing this.)
If you like Part or Messaien, if you are looking for a modern work of music with a spiritual, meditative sound, you might find that "Arcanum" is just what you are seeking. I was pleased to learn of another great composer, and find a new vocal work with orchestra in a contemplative setting. Lovely.
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