Summa for strings

• Summa was originally written as an SATB choral work in 1977. Pärt arranged it for string orchestra in 1991.¹
  • The text of the original choral version is based on the Latin Credo.²
• Summa was an early example of Pärt’s tintinnabuli style:³

“I have developed a highly formalised compositional system, which I have been using to write my music for twenty years. Summa is the most strict and enigmatic work in this series.”

Arvo Pärt in 1994.⁴

1. Paul D. Hillier, “Pärt, Arvo,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed November 19, 2019,  https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000020964.
2. “Arvo Pärt: Summa,” Universal Editions, accessed December 11, 2019, https://www.universaledition.com/arvo-part-534/works/summa-5108. 
3. Paul D. Hillier, “Pärt, Arvo,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed November 19, 2019,  https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000020964.
4. “Arvo Pärt: Summa,” Universal Editions,