Arvo Part
Arvo Pärt has dominated the Proms this week and is shortly to turn 75.
'Who?' You cry.
For those not acquainted with the world of modern classical music, the name will be unfamiliar. His music, however, will not. Its stunning, moving simplicity makes it a favourite for film and documentary makers world-wide. The chances are you will almost certainly have heard Spiegel im Spiegel, Tabula Rasa or Für Alina even if you have never heard their names.
Why, however, does that make him a suitable subject for 'Connecting with Culture'? Beautiful music abounds the world over. Why focus on Pärt? The answer is that his music and his life are a testimony to the power of the Christian vision.
Pärt was born in Estonia. When he was nine, his country was occupied by Soviet forces and would remain so for the next half century. His initial compositions were harsh-sounding serialist works, which frustrated the authorities.
More worrying (to them) was the fact that Pärt was (and remains) a deeply-committed Christian and composed works like Credo (1968), based on the Nicene Creed. Angered and frightened, the atheist authorities banned it. Interviewed on Estonian Radio at the time, the programme was censored 'because he spoke fervently about Jesus Christ'.
Pärt, disturbed by this and what he considered the musical dead-end of serialism, went into self-imposed silence for five years. During this time he studied early choral music, from which he emerged, transformed and with a style he calls 'tintinnabuli' (meaning 'little bells').
The transformation and his continued focus on Christian texts and themes meant life under the atheist regime became impossible. In 1980 he emigrated to the West, where he has become immensely popular.
Pärt's importance comes from his ability to help is see the world anew. 'I have discovered that it is enough when a single note is beautifully played,' he has said of his style. 'This one note, or a silent beat, or a moment of silence, comforts me.' He reminds us it is not only the heavens that declare the glory of God. So do the flowers, the very grass, of the field.
But it also comes in helping us understand the power of God. There is no violence, no occupying armies, no intimidating bureaucracy in his music. The man himself is notoriously shy and reserved, and unwilling to talk about his compositions.
What there is, is the presence Christ, to whom Pärt, although as reticent about his faith as about his music, has made clear his devotion. The humility and simplicity, the power and authority of Christ shine through. No wonder the atheist authorities were scared.
Credo was banned by the Soviet authorities in 1968. Today, it is performed regularly in the huge Estonian Song Festival, which attracts 100,000 people and is broadcast live on TV.
Nick Spencer
Links
For a definition of 'serialism' click here
Pärt's St John's Passion was performed at the Proms on 17th August. His Symphony No. 4, labelled 'Los Angeles' and dedicated to Mikhail Khodorkovsky, currently in a Russian prison, and to 'all those imprisoned without rights in Russia', receives its UK premiere tonight (August 20).
More information on Pärt can be found here
A conference, on 'Arvo Pärt: Soundtrack of an Age', will be held at the Southbank Centre in London on September 24-25.
Comments
This is a facinating story of endurance, witness and the power of music when used with 'super' vision.
Thankyou for this interesting piece, lots of useful background I did not know about a composer whose music I have sung in the past. BUT why do you assume classical composers to be unknown? Is LICC so bound up with being contemporary that it forgets there are other areas of culture alive & well in the UK ? After all, the Proms are in full swing at present and many other serious music festivals up and down the country.
I was at Tuesday promenade concert and I would want to testify to the beautiful spiritual nature of Arvo Parts music in the piece he composed on the death of Bejamin Briton. It is so moving in its simplicity but inspiring in its creativeness clearly this musician is humbled by the gifts God has given him , a lesson for us all.M
Date:
2010-08-20 12:25:19
Author:
Mary Quenby