News

At the annual Encaenia ceremony held today, Arvo Pärt received an honorary degree in Music from Oxford University. At a ceremony held at the Sheldonian Theatre the University of Oxford conferred honorary degrees on nine distinguished figures from the fields of theology, law, economics, architecture, film, science, engineering and music.

On 20 June, Arvo Pärt was merited the Per Artem Ad Deum Medal from the Pontifical Council for Culture. The Pontifical Council for Culture also awarded the medal to the Polish singer and composer Antonina Krzysztoń and the Italian sculptor and goldsmith Arnaldo Pomodoro.

The Arvo Pärt Centre offers heartfelt congratulations to the founder and producer of the record label ECM, Manfred Eicher, on receiving an honorary doctorate from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Manfred Eicher was promoted to the position of an honorary doctor at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EMTA), for his high-level collaboration with Estonian musicians. The wider global recognition of Arvo Pärt's works originally began thanks to successful recordings with Manfred Eicher, who knew how to find the right sound for Pärt's new tintinnabuli style. Manfred Eicher will visit the Arvo Pärt Centre on 7 June.

Today, 28 May, is the world premiere of Greater Antiphons, the new work by Arvo Pärt for string orchestra, in Los Angeles. The composition will be performed by the famous Los Angeles Philharmonic, at whose request the work was written, and it will be conducted by Gustavo Dudamel.

The First Estonian-Finnish Music Library Seminar will be held on 26 and 27 May in Helsinki. The Arvo Pärt Centre will participate in the seminar along with the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, Estonian Theatre and Music Museum and the National Library of Estonia. The seminar will discuss various topical issues concerning the work of music archives, the presentation by Anneli Kivisiv and Kai Kutman from the Arvo Pärt Centre will focus on the challenges of building the archive of a living composer.

On 14 May as part of Museum Night, Arvo Pärt Centre will open its doors to the wider public for the first time. We will offer tours during which visitors will have an exclusive opportunity to glimpse into the depths of the growing archive and see the materials that shed light on the development of Arvo Pärt’s works. Younger visitors can meanwhile test their knowledge and skills while playing outdoors. The night will naturally feature some music as well.

A DVD of Dorian Supin's 2015 documentary Arvo Pärt – Even if I lose everything is now available. Dorian Supin's third documentary film of Arvo Pärt steps closer to the composer, showing him in a domestic setting as a composer, husband, father and grandfather. The title “Even if I lose everything” refers to an entry in Arvo Pärt's musical notebooks, which the composer browses in the film, together with Immo Mihkelson.

From 19 – 29 May, the festival “Mozart & Pärt” will be held in Los Angeles, California, USA. This festival focuses on the music of Arvo Pärt, in a performance by the renowned orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and its principal conductor, Gustavo Dudamel. The festival will culminate with a world première of an orchestral piece by Arvo Pärt, performed by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Last night the Estonian Association of Phonogram Producers presented the Estonian Music Business Awards for important contributions to developing the Estonian music scene. The Music Event of the Year award was given to Eesti Kontsert for the musical spectacle “Adam’s Passion” based on the works of Arvo Pärt and staged by the acclaimed American director and playwright Robert Wilson.

On 15 March, the Estonian Music Awards “Golden Disc” ceremony was held at Kadriorg Palace, recognising the most successful composers and performers for 2015. Arvo Pärt’s CD “Songs from Childhood” was selected as Album of the Year.

Due to a serious illness, one of the most renowned and loved Estonian musicians in the world, 76-year-old Eri Klas, has passed away.

We would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations to our long-time partners, Maarja Oviir-Neivelt and Indrek Neivelt, who were awarded the honorary title Friend of Culture 2015. At the Thank You Event held on 16 February, the Minister of Culture Indrek Saar recognised those companies and private people who supported the field of culture the