The Kanon Pokajanen (Canon of Repentance), premièred in March 1998, is Arvo Pärt's most monumental composition. Its prolonged genesis, the slow process of assimilation of the text in Church Slavonic, the austerity and subtlety of its style all evoke the same sincerity, the same spiritual and contemplative radiance as an icon painting. Daniel Ruess leads Cappella Amsterdam in a dialogue with God in which time stands still.