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Arvo Pärt Celebrates 80

Sep. 02, 2015

Arvo Pärt Celebrates 80

Schott|EAM sends its warmest wishes to Estonian composer Arvo Pärt on the occasion of his 80th birthday on September 11. Arvo Pärt has enriched listeners and the art world in profound ways since his early compositions, with works ranging from neo-classic to music utilizing inventive dodecaphonic techniques, compositions with sound masses, aleatoricism, and collage techniques. The rapid evolution of his creative process made him one of the most radical “Soviet-Avant-garde” composers of the 20th century. Pärt wrote his first piece of dodecaphonic music in 1960 and brilliantly challenged the common definition of “avant-garde” throughout the following decade with works that embodied characteristics of both avant-garde and early music. As a curious and ambitious artist, Pärt explored new compositional techniques and created the ‘Tintinnabuli principle,’ which aims toward a simplistic and clear reduction of sound informed by the composer’s experience with chant music. Commonly associated with the Tintinnabuli technique are several of Pärt’s most notable pieces: Frates, Für Alina, Spiegel im Spiegel and Tabula Rasa. Often labeled as “new simplicity” and “minimalism,” Pärt’s music truly transcends classification. With his strong devotion to faith, music, and subtle approach to innovation, Arvo Pärt remains one of the few composers whose music continually fascinates and inspires listeners of all kinds the world over.

Many events are planned throughout the season to honor Pärt’s work and life. The Arvo Pärt Festival in The Hague celebrates a month before Pärt’s birthday with over 20 performances of his works. A preview of Dorian Supin’s upcoming documentary on Pärt titled Even if I Lose Everything is set to premiere on Pärt’s birthday. The documentary features intimate footage of Pärt and provides a unique glimpse into his work and mind. One month prior in July, Pärt’s “Drei Hirtenkinder aus Fátima” was presented together with works by painter Gerhard Richter at the Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester, and in June, the president of the Republic of Austria presented Pärt with the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art – the state’s highest decoration for remarkable services in this field. On the date of his birthday, Joel Sachs leads the New Juilliard Ensemble in a celebration of Pärt, culminating with New York City Ballet Principals Amar Ramasar and Rebecca Krohn performing Christopher Wheeldon's Liturgy, set to Pärt's Fratres.

Universal Edition has a blog celebrating Arvo Pärt’s life with a collection of performance dates, reviews, CD releases, and more. 

For more information on Arvo Pärt as well as a listing of upcoming performances, visit universaledition.com.

Arvo Pärt
Fratres (1977/1980)
for violin and piano
11’

Für Alina (1976)
for piano
2’ 

Spiegel im Spiegel (1978)
version for violin and piano
10’

Tabula Rasa (1977)
double concerto for two violins, prepared piano and string orchestra
27’

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