Spiegel im Spiegel for Cello and Piano (Arvo Pärt)

Leonhard Roczek - Cello
Herbert Schuch - Piano

Arvo Pärt: Spiegel im Spiegel (1978)
Mozart Week Salzburg 2014

[mairzyd]

We just heard Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott play this at Orchestra Hall in Chicago. It was like a blessing.

[PlayItAgainLouder]

The cello breathes, while the piano's heart beats peacefully.

[claireford-hutchinson]

My husband had Parkinson's disease for more than 20yrs and then was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour 5 weeks ago. Yesterday morning before he died in a Palliative care ward, where he had wonderful care for 12 days, I put radio 3 on and this wonderful piece of music was playing. It was so calming. Just about 2 and a half hours later I was with my darling husband when he died peacefully.

[vksarkisyan]

My country is in the middle of a terrible war and genocide of my people and despite all we still take classes and go to uni. But during one of my classical music courses my professor canceled the scheduled lecture and introduced us to this piece and told us to react on paper. A huge amount of anger and grief spilled out into the writing and during the whole 10 minutes I would wait for an unexpected loud instrument or the whole orchestra stepping in as in many classical pieces but I’ve waited and there was nothing. It was quite a weird feeling that in all that noise and panic around there was something so constant, stable and without a jump scare.
The war is still going and one of those little islands where you can escape without being triggered it’s this piece.

Thank you.

#armeniaisunderattack

[angelapalsha]

I started learning the cello at a late age (62) because I've always loved its deep tone. However, I stored my cello in the closet for 4-5 years after losing my husband to lung cancer. He always helped carry my cello to and from the car for lessons. One day, while on my knees in the living room, I heard you playing this music. I don't know how long I cried. It inspired me to want to play that music too. So, I retrieved my cello from the closet and resumed lessons. Later, I asked my cello teacher for the sheet music. I've listened to many musicians and instruments playing this piece, but I love the way you play it the best. Thank you for such beautiful music.❤

[CUITKIN]

10 years ago my brother's first grandchild was born. She was not thriving, her body could not get rid of fluids and her breathing was not regulated, it was ragged and on and off. The family was told to not hope. My brother got a recording of this music and told the staff in the infant ICU to play it constantly next to her. Gradually her breathing came to match the steady slow rythm of this music and her body began to function normally. He acredited this music. She is now a healthy beautiful girl who loves to dance.

[DG-mrqo]

My wife had just died weeks before I heard this, for thte first time (at 73). I was in my kitchen and it brought me to my knees: I just stopped everything that I was doing. So calming, so quiet. It made me sad and happy at the same time. Someone in the "comments" said that they were crying and smiling at the same time: I seems to do that to me each time I listen to this. I always feel calmer after listening.
If everyone in the world would listen to this, then I cannot believe that we would have wars.
Bravo Roczek and Schuch.

[enemsee]

I have been a music junkie since I was five years old. I am 75 now and I have never heard a piece of music like this. I feel blessed to have heard it now for the very first time. I will never forget it. Thank you Leonhard Roczek and Herbert Schuch. You have made my day.

[dianemathewson]

The night before my mother died, this version of Spiegel im Spiegel came on the radio. For quite a while, her breathing had become more erratic, louder. Within seconds of this music playing, her breathing became quieter, calmer, more measured. She died the next morning and I was able to be with her at that moment. Spiegel im Spiegel (sadly not this recording) was played at the beginning and end of her funeral. Like so many others that have commented here, I cry, I smile, and I am so moved every time I listen to this utterly sublime, life affirming recording.

[LeeC-spyg]

The most beautiful piece of music I've ever heard in my life.

[sandib]

I recently had a heart attack, surgery .. and now waiting and hopeful that a new issue has not surfaced. I come to listen to this piece when I'm distressed. It calms my heart, calms my soul.. allows me to breathe. 💜

[cellopets]

This piece, and how it is played here, and all your comments, are so moving that I'm sitting here and crying and smiling at the same time. Thank God for music and for good people.

[mymagicmurals]

My dear friend passed away in the early hours this morning and as I was getting dressed, this beautiful piece played on Classic FM, the violin version. I wept and have now dedicated this to you, darling Linda, my friend.

[juhis_oksanen]

Humankind has reached very beautiful things. Moonlandings, pyramides and music like this. In my opinion, this kind of music is the highest point of human intelligence.

[sarajoolae]

Iam 56 and my days are nearly at an end. I dont know what will become of me in the hereafter but if i were allowed 2 wishes one would be to see my life-partner again, even just for the briefest of moments and secondly to have this piece playing to my ears. ❤ love is boundless and cannot be distorted or corrupted. Life is so short so make good best you can. For we are a long time dead.❤👍

[MrMpyne]

I am, once again, listening to one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written, by the genius, Arvo Part, and played so wonderfully by Leonhard and Herbert. While listening I think of my wonderful parents, both together again now, in heaven, and my brother, who fought bravely but left us at just 19 years of age, is with them too. I miss them all terribly. I also read the comments from all of you wonderful human beings and see that there has been so much loss and heartache among you. However, it is clear from your comments that this music brings so many of you some comfort in your grief, a tribute to this wonderful piece. May I take the liberty of asking every one of you to accept my best wishes and may you all, also, cherish the fact that music can move us so emotionally in such a multitude of ways. Mark xxxx

[NordANvideos]

Today is 9/11, 2020 and Maestro Arvo Pärt is celebrating his 85th birthday. What a marvellous human being he is. A couple of weeks ago our family visited his centre in Laulasmaa, near Tallinn. As we were buying our tickets and getting airphones (you can listen to his music while wondering around in this spectacular building), my teenage son said "Hello", I turned around and there he was. Smiling to us and responding so very kindly, as if we were somehow important in this unexpected meeting. He had a cup of coffee (tea?) and he headed to the library. We all stood there, amazed. Indeed, Arvo Pärt´s Centre in a beautiful pine forest is all the reason you need to visit Estonia as soon as this pandemic madness is over. Can´t guarantee you will meet him in person, but it's worth a try. Spiegel im Spiegel.

[ptrkk]

I chose this to accompany a visual tribute for my mum at her funeral on 13 June 2016.
Her life in 60 pictures.
I was with her as she died aged 80.
I love her and miss her so much.

[radiantheartwoman]

I heard this a couple weeks ago first time in my 42 years. I hung on every note as the music pulled every heart string. There is the essence of tenderness and love and an ache of loss, the gravity of life in this music. I could feel the beginning and ending of time. I sat in my car in the dark weeping til the very end wishing it would go on longer....exactly how I feel about my marraige as I am going through a painful divorce. God must have whispered every note in the composer's ears when this was written

[LollyJK]

Four years ago, I spent the last week of my brother's life taking care of him in his apt. When I flew back to my home, I saw this song on a playlist on the airplane tv. It was the first time I had ever heard it. I sat quietly weeping already missing my brother.