Arvo Pärt Festival to Open New Classical Music Series, Magnetic South

Magnetic South, a collaborative project between the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO) and the Music Department’s CofC Concerts at the College’s School of the Arts, will stage an Arvo Pärt Festival on October 17, 2014, at the Recital Hall in the Simons Center for the Arts (54 Saint Philip St.). Doors will open at 7 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are $25 for community members and $10 for students.

Magnetic South rehearsal

The program will concentrate on the large ensemble and string orchestra pieces of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, one of the most prominent and widely performed contemporary composers in the world. Pärt has heavily influenced modern music with his invention of the Tintinnabuli style – a technique that blends two musical lines, the melodic voice and the triadic voice – and other compositional devices. He is also known as one of the most radical representatives of the so-called ‘Soviet Avant-garde,’ while having openly affirmed his Christian faith to the regime.

“Pärt is a unique figure in contemporary music. An ascetic, and deeply spiritual character, he is admired by both connoisseurs and pop stars alike… It’s hard to think of anyone who would not be moved by the beauty of his sounds performed by the capable CSO musicians.” Said Yiorgos Vassilandonakis, assistant professor of music theory and composition at the College and artistic director and co-founder Magnetic South.

Magnetic South rehearsal with Vassilandonakis conducting

The program will include In Spe in a United States premier performance, Trisagion, These Words and other orchestra pieces. Vassilandonakis will conduct the CSO ensembles with Yuriy Bekker as concertmaster. The concert is sponsored by Dock Street Communities.

Attendees who arrive for the concert at 7 p.m. can watch a documentary on Pärt. For more information, call the Charleston Symphony Orchestra at 843.723.7528. Magnetic South will conclude its 2014-15 season on Friday, March 27, 2015 with Coast to Coast: American Music Today, featuring new music by Eric Nathan, Clint Needham, Laurie San Martin and Sean Shepherd.