Estonian Festival Orchestra / Paavo Järvi

»I believe that Estonian culture is best expressed through music – it naturally conveys our national voice. Our country may be small, but Arvo Pärt's iconic music is loved all over the world«, says Paavo Järvi.

Tintinnabuli style

Pärt's compositional technique, the so-called Tintinnabuli style, is characterised by meditative simplicity and clear structures. Pärt combines a melodic voice with a second voice that uses only the notes of a triad, which in turn is reminiscent of the sound of bells. Pärt's sacred music has also inspired numerous pop musicians, including Björk, Sting, Michael Stipe, Sigur Rós, Radiohead, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey and Rufus Wainwright among his fans.

Birthday concert

In honour of the »Master of Silence«, who is celebrating his 90th birthday this year, Paavo Järvi, the Estonian Festival Orchestra, the Interpunkt concert choir, pianist Kalle Randalu and violinists Midori and Hans Christian Aavik will perform key works from Pärt's oeuvre, including the now cult double concerto »Tabula rasa« and »Credo«, which provoked the Soviet regime at its premiere in Tallinn in 1968 under the direction of Paavo Järvi's father Neeme Järvi.