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Arvo Pärt Celebrates 85 Years

Sep. 18, 2020

Arvo Pärt said, "Music is a friend, understanding, emphatic, forgiving, comforting, a cloth to dry the tears of sadness, a source of tears of joy, but also a painful thorn in the flesh and in the soul." The great composer celebrated his 85th birthday on September 11.

Universal Edition, Pärt's publisher, summarizes the essence of his connection with the world noting:

"The simple fact that he is the most frequently performed contemporary composer shows how deeply he moves his listeners with this understanding of music. Far beyond the boundaries of the musical world, Pärt has become a synonym for inwardness and spirituality. His uncompromising search for truthfulness has led him to find a language that is understood and loved worldwide.

Pärt is often transfigured into a mystic. This contradicts his very worldly character: ‘I am no prophet, no cardinal, no monk, not even vegetarian,’ was his humorous commentary on such classifications. Without his faith, however, his work would be unthinkable."


Listen to Arvo Pärt’s Magnificat (1989) here:

(Magnificat/Arvo Pärt/Estonian Chamber Choir/Paul Hillier)

We wish Arvo Pärt a very happy birthday and invite our readers to browse the vast catalogue of his works by clicking on the image below. 



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