The recording of this formidable piece of religious music dates back to 1988, though Passio had its Munich premiere back in 1982. The piece is an interpretation of the Passion as given account by St. John's gospel, which is here performed by The Hilliard Ensemble. At the core of the piece is the dialogue between Pilate and Jesus, as played out between tenor and bass vocalists, respectively. One of the key elements to the emotive success of Passio is the punctuation of the piece, with the accompanying orchestral arrangement for strings, woodwind and organ taking pause for reverential, echo-soaked silences that underscore the delivery of each line. Often cited as a masterpiece of modern devotional music, Passio is an immensely moving experience irrespective of the listener's religious beliefs. Comprised mostly of hypnotic tintinnabuli, which has become a signature of Arvo Pärt's oeuvre, the work is a slow moving liturgical piece offering a vastness, solemnity and effective intimacy which allows the listener to contemplate the mysteries and suffering of the canonical text taken from the 'Gospel Of John', chapters 18 and 19. Double-LP in a gatefold sleeve.