Pärt, Arvo

Pärt, Arvo, outstanding Estonian-born Austrian composer; b. Paide, Sept. 11, 1935. He was a student of Heino Eller at the Tallinn Cons., graduating in 1963. From 1958 to 1967 he worked for the Estonian Radio in Tallinn. In 1980 he emigrated to the West, becoming a naturalized Austrian citizen. In his early works, Part followed a modern path in which he utilized serial, aleatorie, and collage techniques. This course, along with his deeply felt spiritual convictions, caused him difficulties with Soviet officialdom. Part’s intense interest in medieval and Renaissance music led to a remarkable change of course in the mid-1970s as he developed a tintinnabular technique that resulted in scores notable for their beauty, strong character, and spirituality. In 1978 he was awarded the Estonian Music Prize for his Tabula rasa, a score that established his international reputation. He was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1997. In 1998 he won the Moscow Triumph Award.

Works

orch.:Nekrolog (1960); 3 syms. (1963, 1966, 1971); Perpetuum mobile (1963); Pro et contra, cello concerto (1966); Wenn Bach Bienen gezüchtet hätte for Piano, Wind Quintet, and Strings (1976–84); Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten for Strings and Bell (1977); Tabula rasa, double concerto for 2 Violins or Violin and Viola, Strings, and Prepared Piano (1977); Fratres for Strings and Percussion (1977; rev. 1991; also for Violin, String Orch., and Percussion, 1992); Spiegel im Spiegel for Violin, Piano, and Strings (1980; also for Violin and Piano, 1978); Summa for Strings (1980–91); Dreiklang, concerto for Violin, Cello, and Chamber Orch. (1981); Festina lente for Strings and Harp ad libitum (1988; rev. 1990); Silouan’s Song: My Soul Yearns After the Lord...for Strings (1991); The Introductory Prayers for Strings (1992; rev. 1995). chamber: String Quartet (1959); Wind Quintet (1964); Musica syllabica for 12 Instruments (1964); Collage über B-A-C-H for Strings, Oboe, Harpsichord, and Piano (1964); Fratres for Chamber Ensemble (1977; also for Violin and Piano, 1977–80, for 4, 8, or 12 Cellos, 1977–83, for String Quartet, 1977–85, etc.); Arbos for 7 Flutes and 3 Triangles ad libitum (1977; also for 8 Brass and Percussion, 1977–86); Spiegel im Spiegel for Violin and Piano (1978; also for Violin, Piano, and String Orch., 1980); Pari intervallo for 4 Flutes (1980; also for Organ); Summa for Violin, 2 Violas, and Cello (1980–90; also for String Quartet, 1980–91); Psalom for String Quartet (1986–91; rev. 1997); Adagio for Violin, Cello, and Piano (1992); Darf ich...for Violin, Tubular Bells ad libitum, and Strings (1995). keyboard:piano: 2 sonatinas (1958,1959); Partita (1959); Diagrams (1964); Für Alina (1976); Variationen zur gesundung von Arinuschka (1977). Organ: Trivium (1976); Pari intervallo (1980; also for 4 Flutes); Annum per annum (1980); Mein Weg hat Gipfel und Wellentäler (1985). vocal:Meie aed (Our Garden) for Children’s Chorus and Orch. (1958); Maailma samm (The World’s Stride), oratorio for Chorus and Orch. (1961); Solfeggio for Chorus and String Quartet (1964); Credo for Chorus, Piano, and Orch. (1968); Laul armastatule (Song for the Beloved) for 2 Solo Voices, Chorus, and Orch. (1973); Calix for Chorus and Instruments (1976); By the Waters of Babylon, Psalm 137 for Voices and Instruments (1976–84; rev. 1994); Modus for Soprano and Instruments (1976); In spe for 4 Voices and Instruments (1976); Sarah was 90 Years Old for 3 Voices, Percussion, and Organ (1977–90); Cantate Domino Canticum Novum, Psalm 95 for Voices and Instruments (1977–91); Missa Syllabica for Voices and Instruments (1977–96); Summa for Chorus or 4 Soloists (1980–90); De profundis for Men’s Chorus, Organ, and Optional Percussion (1980); Passio Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundum Joannem for Tenor, Bass, Vocal Quartet, Chorus, Instrumental Quartet, and Organ (1982); 2 Slavic Psalms (117 and 131) for Soprano, Alto, Countertenor, Tenor, and Bass (1984); Ein Wallfahrtslied, Psalm 121 for Tenor or Baritone and String Quartet (1984; rev. 1996); Es sang vor Langen Jahren for Alto or Countertenor, Violin, and Viola (1984); Te Deum for 3 Choruses, Piano, Strings, and Tape (1984–85; rev. 1986); Stabat Mater for Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Violin, Viola, and Cello (1985); 7 Magnificat-Antiphonen for Chorus (1988; rev. 1991); Magnificat for Chorus (1989); Nun eile ich zu euch for Chorus or Soloists (1989); Miserere for Soloists, Chorus, Ensemble, and Organ (1989; rev. 1992); Mother of God and Virgin for Chorus (1990); Beatus Petronius for 2 Choruses and 2 Organs (1990); Statuii ei Dominus for 2 Choruses and 2 Organs (1990); The Beatitudes for Chorus or Soloists and Organ (1990; rev. 1991); Berliner Messe for Chorus or Soloists and Organ or String Orch. (1990; rev. 1997); And One of the Pharisees...for 3 Voices (1992); Litany: Prayers of St. John Chrysostom for Each Hour of the Day and Night for Soloists, Chorus, and Orch. (1994); Dopo la vittoria for Chorus (Milan, Dec. 6, 1997); Kanon pokajanen for Chorus (Cologne, March 17, 1998); Triodion for Chorus (London, April 30, 1998); Como anhela la cierva for Soprano and Orch. (1998; Santa Cruz, Feb. 3, 1999); Cantiques des degrés for Chorus and Orch. (Monte Carlo, Nov. 19, 1999).

Bibliography

P. Hillier, A. P.: The Book (Oxford, 1997).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire