Los Angeles Philharmonic & Esa-Pekka Salonen - Arvo Part: Symphony No. 4

Arvo P�rt returns to symphonic structure and scope, in a new work scored for string orchestra, harp, tympani and percussion: the Symphony No. 4 'Los Angeles'. Almost 40 years after his Third Symphony, the Estonian composer wrote his Fourth for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and Esa-Pekka Salonen - and ECM releases their premiere performance, recorded live in January 2009, to celebrate P�rt's 75th birthday.

This is the first symphonic work P�rt has written since developing his tintinnabulation style. A composition in three movements, it opens with characteristically shimmering suspended chords, and an extraordinary journey begins. The symphony is large, wrote Mark Swed in the Los Angeles Times, and exceedingly beautiful.

The Fourth Symphony is both literally and figuratively a 'musical setting', based on an underlying text. Canon of the Guardian Angel forms the work's point of departure, determining its structure down to the smallest details. It was recorded live at LA's Walt Disney Concert Hall. The 37-minute work is augmented on disc by a new montage of fragments of Kanon Pokajanen, a piece which P�rt feels is closely related to the symphony. To my mind, the two works belong together and form a stylistic unity.

Personnel: Los Angeles Philharmonic, Esa-Pekka Salonen (conductor), Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir; Tonu Kaljuste (conductor)