Kanon Pokajanen 2024

An annual tradition at De Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

In striving to get to the essence of the words, Pärt has created "a precious island in the inner seclusion of our soul," and Cappella Amsterdam under Daniel Reuss more than do justice to Kanon Pokajanen's distilled purity and sublime beauty.

Gramophone Magazine

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Pärt himself indicated that in the Kanon, he "wanted the word to be able to find its own sound, to draw its own melodic line," to which one might add in order to "build its own larger shapes" as well. The work is thus suited well to the sound of the Cappella Amsterdam under Daniel Reuss, not one of the usual choirs that interpret Pärt with a maximum of purity, but add expression and just a bit of vocal heft. The results are impressive and carry a sense of the ecstasy inspired by the very best Pärt performances.

AllMusic Review

An annual tradition at De Nieuwe Kerk Amsterdam

programme

Arvo Pärt (1935) Kanon Pokajanen
On Sunday, March 3, Pärt’s 2 Wiegenlieder will also be performed by the Nieuw Amsterdams Kinderkoor

performers

Cappella Amsterdam
Daniel Reuss conductor

Also on Sunday, March 3:
Nieuw Amsterdams Kinderkoor
(part of Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam)
Majsa Koperberg harp

background

Arvo Pärt has been the most performed living composer in the world for several years running. However, his monumental Kanon Pokajanen (1997) for four-part choir has been rarely heard—until Daniel Reuss and Cappella Amsterdam took it on.

With seemingly simple means, Pärt creates a vast array of sound possibilities in Kanon Pokajanen, ranging from the thunderous opening to monophonic recitatives and voluptuous chords. A canon is a hymn from Eastern Orthodox Christianity, and Kanon Pokajanen is the canon of repentance.

In 2022, Cappella Amsterdam, in collaboration with De Nieuwe Kerk, established a new tradition by performing Kanon Pokajanen annually. This year, we will perform it three times! If Friday doesn’t work for you, we’d be happy to welcome you on Saturday or Sunday.

Cappella Amsterdam gives choral music its place in the 21st century and keeps the rich choral canon alive. That means continuing an excellent performance practice and engaging in innovation on many fronts.

Do you also support Cappella Amsterdam? With your support, we can make a lot of great things happen.

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