JVLMA Hosts lectures Celebrating Arvo Pärt‘s 90th Birthday
The Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music (JVLMA) will host a special series of lectures in September to honor the 90th birthday of renowned Estonian composer Arvo Pärt. On September 26th at 12:00 noon, two internationally recognized musicologists will present insights into Pärt’s groundbreaking work, as part of a global celebration of his enduring legacy.
Delving into the “Tintinnabuli” Style
The lectures will focus on Pärt’s distinctive compositional technique, “Tintinnabuli,” developed in the mid-1970s. Characterized by minimalism, simple melodic lines derived from triads, and a meditative pace, “Tintinnabuli” (Latin for “small bells”) evokes a sense of quiet spirituality and reflection.
Leading the discussions will be Professor Kevin C. Karnes of the University of Emoria and JVLMA guest professor, and Thomas Siitan from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theater.
exploring Context and Nuance
Professor Karnes, author of “Sounds Beyond: Arvo Pärt and the 1970s Soviet Underground,” will explore the origins of “Tintinnabuli” within the context of the Soviet Union’s underground music scene, revealing how Pärt’s unique soundscape emerged and influenced musical development.
Thomas Siitan, a long-time associate of Pärt and a leading expert on his work, will analyze the composer’s choral pieces, challenging common perceptions of minimalism and demonstrating the sophisticated relationship between music and text, drawing parallels to serialism. He is a published author on Pärt’s creative process and has contributed to numerous books on the composer.
A Global Celebration of a Musical Visionary
Arvo Pärt is one of the most frequently performed composers worldwide, celebrated for his minimalist and “sacred minimalist” style. His music transcends musical and religious boundaries, creating a profound emotional and spiritual experience for listeners. Works like “Fratres,” “Spiegel Im Spiegel,” and “Tabula Rasa” resonate globally, influencing not only classical music but also genres like electronic music, hip-hop, and metal.
The worldwide celebrations marking Pärt’s 90th birthday underscore his lasting impact on contemporary music.These JVLMA lectures offer a valuable opportunity for both music enthusiasts and professionals to deepen their understanding of this pivotal composer of the 20th and 21st centuries.
