Sacred Threads: Celebrating Palestrina's 500th & Pärt's 90th Birthdays

Experience how sacred music flows through centuries as we honor two remarkable anniversaries in 2025: the 500th birthday of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594) and the 90th birthday of Arvo Pärt (b. 1935). This unique program intertwines Palestrina's delicate Renaissance polyphony with Pärt's mystical minimalism, revealing how threads of spiritual expression connect across time.

The first half features Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli, the legendary mass that demonstrates his genius for weaving complex polyphonic lines into perfect clarity. Its intertwining melodic voices create a rich fabric of sound that established a new paradigm for sacred music, influencing composers through the centuries.

The second half showcases Arvo Pärt's mesmerizing contemporary works including Da Pacem Domine, Nunc Dimittis, and O Holy Father Nicholas (Colorado Premiere). Pärt's signature tintinnabuli style, developed after intense study of medieval chant and Renaissance polyphony, knits simple musical threads into hypnotic soundscapes that feel both ancient and modern. His minimalist approach creates profound spiritual depth through the delicate interplay of spare musical elements.

These two masters, separated by centuries but united in their spiritual quest, show how sacred music continues to shape new patterns while honoring ancient traditions. Join us for this historic celebration of music that threads its way through time, touching hearts across centuries and cultures.