Average Rating: 
Rating:  - A Redefinition of Beauty
I bought Alina and Litany at the same time sight-unseen. I had downloaded some of Pärt's ever amazing choral works, but being the pianist I am, I was enthused to discover he had written for the piano. Alina is simply captivating. When listening, one loses hold of the tension of everyday life and is caught up in wonder. The notes of "Für Alina" hang suspended in the air like drops of water about to fall into a lake. The pieces communicate a mournful peace that is not reached by any other musical composition. For those who tire of "mass-produced" classical music devoid of emotion, look into Arvo Pärt. This CD, however, is not for those who find "less" boring. This is not a musical journey for those who require instant gratification. In some, Alina will inspire a metamorphosis. In others, a plethora of questions about how anyone could enjoy such boring music. I beg the latter to mature. Alina, nonetheless, does include repetitions. The five tracks are variations of two pieces. There are no fast notes or hintings of anything Tchaikovsky-ish. The comparison is ridiculous. The repetitions, I argue, add to the beauty and genius of the album. If you want lots of notes, go elsewhere. In summation, Alina, Pärt's first minimalist CD, differs from his choral works in content but not in perspective. Be prepared for a redefinition of beauty.
Rating: - The simple beauty of it
I have had a hard time coming up with words for this CD. It is probably the most beautiful work of music I own. I am not exaggerating. The tintinnabuli style has an ephemeral feel to which other works only aspire. I noticed after the third or fourth time listening to it that the silence is as essential to the music; I felt myself reaching for the next note. It's beautiful, simply beautiful. I think of the movie The Hunger when I hear it, for that movie had piano and cello pieces in it also. The images that one saw in it, that of light and gossamer drapes floating go through my mind when I hear this. This CD is worth anything one must pay to get it. It truly is a work of genius.
Rating: - Exquisitely played classical muzak
As you can tell by the number of stars above, I enjoy this music. It's everything some say it is -- "relaxing" "soothing" music to fall asleep by (actually mentioned). This is the kind of music radio stations try to find, as classical music is being redefined in today's world as something to relax by after a hard day. Nevertheless I do find it beautiful, though I prefer not to listen to the entire CD in one sitting as there is too little contrast for my own taste. Thoughts expressed here that those who aren't enraptured totally by this CD should "mature" speak to a sort of religion or faith, which relegates those who don't appreciate the music enough to non-believer status in "not getting" what Paert was about, or even immaturity. I get it. I like it. But I don't think for one minute that this music, so very exquisitely played and delicately woven, is anything but exceedingly pleasant. There is a place for (perhaps deceptively) 'simple' art - when so well executed, but the pretense that this is music that is unusually profound and unlike the apparently lower forms ('sappy' 'new age') is ironic to me. The 'looking down at' other forms of music when this music itself strives exactly for and attains what most new age music is meant to do -- calm, soothe, relax, lull -- is a curious thing. There is much beauty in all kinds of music, including this set. But some listeners will want something that does more than calm and not because they don't get it. Still, highly recommended for the simple beauty of it.
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