The Bristol Ensemble

The distinctive simplicity and hypnotic, mesmerising quality of the music of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is deeply compelling and meditative. Performed in the resonant, crystal clear acoustic of St George’s Bristol, these one-hour concerts offer a wonderful opportunity to retreat to a state of tranquillity, as the musicians of the Bristol Ensemble assemble on stage once again to make music for you.

In Tabula Rasa (Clean Slate), the 1977 work that brought Pärt’s music in the ‘holy minimalist’ style of tintinnabulation to a worldwide audience, melodies slowly emerge and evolve, built on progressions that are almost mathematical yet exquisitely beautiful. The 30 minute work is scored for violin, string orchestra and prepared piano.

The programme includes two instrumental works from the same revolutionary period: the tranquil Spiegel im Spiegel (Mirror in the Mirror) written in 1978 and scored for violin and piano, and the 1977 minimalist masterpiece Fratres (Brothers), a set of variations on a theme of rich harmonic chord progressions, separated by a percussion motif.