Spiegel im Spiegel (revised 2009) - BSN/PN

Spiegel im Spiegel
for bassoon and piano
by Arvo Part (b. 1935) - Estonian composer

Originally written in 1978 and revised by the composer in 2009. 

Spiegel im Spiegel is a well-known example of Arvo Part's Tintinnabuli style and has been used in many films. Spiegel im Spiegel illustrates his creative principles: above a permanent flow of chords on the piano, the bassoon unfolds a cantilena in long note values, which grows out of succinct steps. This cantilena spins out sweeping, chorale-like arches and spreads itself out more and more. It thus gives rise to a new architectonic configuration which, like a mediation chapel, stimulates reflection, prayer, or the desire for redemption.