RIAS Kammerchor Berlin

The first composer was born 500 years ago, although it is understandable after such a long space of time that we no longer know on which precise date we should be celebrating the birth of the Italian Renaissance composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.


It is a different story with the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt who will be turning 90 on the very date of this concert. The Estonian composer communicates spiritual messages through extreme reduction and simplicity, while Palestrina, following the style of his period, pursues a highly ornate form of polyphony. Both hit exactly one thing: the pulse of their audiences.


Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina created one of the greatest settings of the mass in music history with his “Missa Papae Marcelli”. The work was composed in commemoration of Pope who was elected in 1555. The composition was most probably written between 1555 and 1567.


A well-known legend has preserved the exact span of time Palestrina required for this composition: a single night. It is said that an angel came down and dictated the magnificent work directly to the composer – literally music of the spheres whose beauty is today still overwhelming in its impact. Despite the wealth of polyphonic magic, each single word remains crystal clear, thereby fulfilling the requirements of the Counter-Reformation that the text of a mass should not be concealed in the web of artistic polyphony, but remain an unconditionally transparent focal point. Palestrina succeeded on both counts, unifying text clarity and virtuosity in his music.

The “Missa Papae Marcelli” was performed at each Papal coronation up until 1978. It was John Paul I who broke with the tradition: his pontificate only lasted 33 days. Pope Marcellus II sat on the Papal throne for a mere 23 days –a somewhat strange coincidence?


in honour of Arvo Pärt


Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525 – 1594)

Missa Papae Marcelli (ca. 1555–67)

for six-piece choir a cappella


Arvo Pärt (*1935)

Solfeggio (1963)

Nunc dimittis (2001)

Magnificat (1989)

Dopo la vittoria (1996/1998) 

The Woman with the Alabaster Box (1997)

for mixed choir a cappella


#MusikfestBerlin