Some of the most peaceful music ever written!

by Scott

Spiegel im Spiegel (Mirror in the mirror) by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt is a piece that I first encountered while working for a violin studio a few years ago. I have played it several times with violinists and the music always has a profound effect on its listeners.

The best description of this music that I have found is from the composer’s website:
“The title directly reflects what is happening in the music: each ascending melodic line is followed by a descending mirror phrase. Initially, the melody consists of only two notes, with another note being added with each of the following phrases, thus creating a seemingly endless continuum. After each distancing, the melody returns to the central pitch of A, which, according to the composer, is like “returning home after being away”. The piano part accompanies the melody part at each step like a “guardian angel”, as the composer himself likes to say. “

This piece has been arranged for almost every possible instrument combined with piano, as well as organ solo and piano solo, but I haven’t found any piano duet versions yet! This is a literal transcription, in that I didn’t add or subtract any notes - instead I put the entire violin part in the secondo’s right hand and the bass notes in the left, the repeated quarter notes in the primo’s left hand, and the bell notes in the right.

Spiegel im Spiegel is an example of minimalist music, where very little change occurs over extended repetitions of simple patterns. This type of piece is deceptively hard to play, as it requires high concentration and delicate control of touch. It’s very easy to lose one’s place while performing it! Our duet version adds another element of difficulty - if the melodic instrument and piano are not exactly together, it can go unnoticed, but when two pianists are not exactly together, it is much more obvious!