Arvo Pärt wrote "L'Abbé Agathon" in 2004 for a hospital that historically treated lepers so he chose to feature St. Agathon, whose history involves legends with lepers. As Pärt explains "Three musical situations dominate the piece: Agathon on the way to the market, characterized by his gait heavy with the leper on his shoulders, the dialogues between the leper and Agathon, and the life at the market." The original composition featured eight cellos and soprano. Hear his 2008 arrangement for female choir and string orchestra on Thursday's program.
