This program by the award-winning Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under the direction of its artistic director and chief conductor Kaspars Putnins includes Franz Liszt’s (1881-1886)...

This program by the award-winning Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under the direction of its artistic director and chief conductor Kaspars Putnins includes Franz Liszt’s (1881-1886) mystery-filled Via Crucis as well as four enigmatic and spiritual choral works by Arvo Pärt (b. 1935). Liszt’s Via Crucis is one of his religious keyworks representing his late modern style. Liszt joined the Franciscan Order in Rome in 1865 and remained as a devout Catholic until the end of his life. Liszt became interested in the Gregorian chant and the works of Palestrina. His stay in Rome inside the Vatican walls inspired him to write several religious works, including the Via Crucis. During Liszt’s lifetime, and even today, his religious works were somewhat neglected: Via Crucis was completed in 1879, but not premiered until 1929. This recorded version for choir and piano features Kalle Randalu, one of Estonia’s internationally most well-known pianists. This recording includes Arvo Pärt’s first choral work, Solfeggio, from the 1960s, which is already looking towards his later style. Pärt has described his Summa from 1977 as his “most strict and enigmatic work” in his series of works in the tintinnabuli style. The two other choral works are based on biblical passages from the Gospels of Luke and Matthew.