Pärt & Tavener

Cellist and conductor Matthew Barley invites you on a spiritual journey of sound. The concert begins with Arvo Pärt’s Fratres, a meditative work that evolves slowly, as if the music itself is breathing: each note emerges seamlessly from the silence. After an inspiring improvisation by Barley himself and Astor Piazzola’s tango Milonga del Angel, we proceed with Pärt’s Festina lente, an enchantingly simple piece that deeply stirs the soul with its serene tones and spiritual force. Pärt’s music invites the listener to reflect and listen to the space between the notes. 

The evening culminates in John Tavener’s The Protecting Veil, inspired by the cloak of Mother Mary, a symbol of protection, warmth and love – which is precisely how the tones envelop us. The cello takes on the role of Mary’s voice and engages the orchestra in an emotional exchange, with Matthew Barley acting as both conductor and storyteller. The atmosphere of Nieuwe Kerk adds another layer to the mysticism of this evening, where every note feels like a stirring of the soul. This is a concert that you will not soon forget. 

Programm

• Pärt Fratres
• Barley Improvisation
• Piazzolla Milonga del Ángel
• Pärt Festina lento
• Nascimento Um Girassol da Cor do Seu Cabelo
• Tavener The Protecting Veil