Fratres
Encyclopedia
Fratres is a composition by the Estonia
n composer
Arvo Pärt
, existing in versions for a wide variety of instrumentations and exemplifying Pärt's tintinnabuli
style of composition. Structurally, the piece consists of a set of eight or nine chord sequences, separated by a recurring percussion motif
. The chord sequences themselves follow a clear pattern, and while the progressing chords explore a rich harmonic space, they nevertheless appear to have been generated by means of a simple formula.
The first version for string quintet
and wind quintet
(early music ensemble) was written by Pärt in 1977. Further versions were written over the years leading up to about 1992.
Several versions of the piece exist, including for strings and percussion; for violin, strings and percussion; for string quartet; for cello and piano; for four, eight or twelve cellos; and for wind octet and percussion. Each version typically has a duration of seven to twelve minutes in performance. Fratres exists perhaps most prominently in its versions for violin
, string orchestra
, and percussion and for violin and piano
. Similarity to these versions of the others varies: for instance, the versions for viola
and piano, or cello
and piano are almost exactly the same as that for violin, whereas the version for string quartet is more similar to the cello version.
The versions include:
A performance by the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra conducted by Tamás Benedek, recorded in 1997, was used in the six-part BBC
documentary
Auschwitz: The Nazis and the ‘Final Solution’ produced by Laurence Rees
in 2005.
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
n composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Arvo Pärt
Arvo Pärt
Arvo Pärt is an Estonian classical composer and one of the most prominent living composers of sacred music. Since the late 1970s, Pärt has worked in a minimalist style that employs his self-made compositional technique, tintinnabuli. His music also finds its inspiration and influence from...
, existing in versions for a wide variety of instrumentations and exemplifying Pärt's tintinnabuli
Tintinnabuli
Tintinnabuli is a compositional style created by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. He first introduced this new style in two works: Für Alina and Spiegel Im Spiegel . This simple style was influenced by the composer's mystical experiences with chant music...
style of composition. Structurally, the piece consists of a set of eight or nine chord sequences, separated by a recurring percussion motif
Motif
Motif may refer to the following:In creative work:* Motif , a perceivable or salient recurring fragment or succession of notes* Motif , any recurring element in a story that has symbolic significance...
. The chord sequences themselves follow a clear pattern, and while the progressing chords explore a rich harmonic space, they nevertheless appear to have been generated by means of a simple formula.
The first version for string quintet
String quintet
A string quintet is a musical composition for a standard string quartet supplemented by a fifth string instrument, usually a second viola or a second cello , but occasionally a double bass. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who favoured addition of a viola, is considered a pioneer of the form...
and wind quintet
Wind quintet
A wind quintet, also sometimes known as a woodwind quintet, is a group of five wind players . The term also applies to a composition for such a group....
(early music ensemble) was written by Pärt in 1977. Further versions were written over the years leading up to about 1992.
Several versions of the piece exist, including for strings and percussion; for violin, strings and percussion; for string quartet; for cello and piano; for four, eight or twelve cellos; and for wind octet and percussion. Each version typically has a duration of seven to twelve minutes in performance. Fratres exists perhaps most prominently in its versions for violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
, string orchestra
String orchestra
A string orchestra is an orchestra composed solely or primarily of instruments from the string family. These instruments are the violin, the viola, the cello, the double bass , the piano, the harp, and sometimes percussion...
, and percussion and for violin and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. Similarity to these versions of the others varies: for instance, the versions for viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
and piano, or cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
and piano are almost exactly the same as that for violin, whereas the version for string quartet is more similar to the cello version.
The versions include:
- Strings and percussion
- Violin, strings and percussion
- String quartet
- Cello and piano
- Four, eight, twelve... cellos
- Wind octet and percussion
- String quintet
- Wind quintet
- Violin and piano
A performance by the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra conducted by Tamás Benedek, recorded in 1997, was used in the six-part BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
documentary
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
Auschwitz: The Nazis and the ‘Final Solution’ produced by Laurence Rees
Laurence Rees
Laurence Rees is a British historian. He is the former Creative Director of History Programs for the BBC, a documentary filmmaker, and the author of five books on war.-Biography:...
in 2005.