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How to listen to... Arvo Pärt

Tom Service lifts the lid on the music of Arvo Pärt - what makes it so unique and why is it so popular? With violinist Viktoria Mullova and theologian Dr Peter Bouteneff.

Tom Service lifts the lid on the music of the most popular living composer - Arvo Pärt. Nominated for 11 Grammy awards and revered by Björk, P.J Harvey, and Radiohead, as well as classical musicians around the world, his seemingly simple and spiritual music is loved by millions. Born in Estonia in 1935 he did military service in the Soviet Army, worked as a radio producer, and wrote music for films, documentaries and animations, before creating his unique style of composition â€tintinnabulation’.

But what exactly is tintinnabulation? What do you get when you cross mathematics with love? And how can strict rules and discipline ultimately mean freedom?

Our witnesses are violinist Viktoria Mullova who has recorded many of Pärt’s seminal works, and theologian Dr Peter Bouteneff who has researched his music’s connections with his Orthodox faith.

Producer: Ruth Thomson

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Fri 24 Sep 2021 16:30

Music Played

  • Arvo Pärt

    Fratres vers. violin and orchestra

    Conductor: Paavo Järvi. Performer: Viktoria Mullova. Performer: Estonian National S O.
    • ONYX.
    • 4201.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Sonata in A major K.331 for piano

    Performer: Arvo Pärt.
  • Arvo Pärt

    Spiegel im Spiegel for violin and piano

    Performer: Paavo Järvi. Performer: Viktoria Mullova.
    • ONYX.
    • 4201.
  • Arvo Pärt

    Nekrolog Op.5

    Conductor: Paavo Järvi. Performer: Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • VIRGIN CLASSICS.
    • VC 5452122.
  • Arvo Pärt

    Concerto (Pro et contra) for cello and orchestra

    Conductor: Paavo Järvi. Performer: Estonian National S O.
    • VIRGIN CLASSICS.
    • 5 456302.
  • Arvo Pärt

    Collage on the theme B-A-C-H

    Performer: Tapiola Sinfonietta.
    • BIS.
    • BISCD-834.
  • Arvo Pärt

    Nekrolog Op.5

    Conductor: Paavo Järvi. Performer: Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • VIRGIN CLASSICS.
    • VC 5 452122.
  • Arvo Pärt

    Collage on the theme B-A-C-H

    Performer: Tapiola Sinfonietta.
    • BIS.
    • BISCD-834.
  • Arvo Pärt

    Symphony no. 3

    Conductor: Paavo Järvi. Performer: Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 457 6472.
  • Arvo Pärt

    For Alina for piano

    Performer: Ralph van Raat.
    • NAXOS.
    • 8.572525.
  • Arvo Pärt

    Spiegel im Spiegel for violin and piano

    Performer: Paavo Järvi. Performer: Viktoria Mullova.
    • ONYX.
    • 4201.
  • Arvo Pärt

    Passacaglia for violin and piano/orchestra

    Performer: Viktoria Mullova. Orchestra: Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Paavo Järvi.
    • ONYX.
    • 4201.
  • Arvo Pärt

    Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten for string orchestra and bell

    Conductor: Paavo Järvi. Orchestra: Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.
    • ERATO.
    • 5455012.
  • Arvo Pärt

    Passio Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundum Joannem for soloists, chmbr chor & ensemble

    Conductor: Nils Schweckendiek. Performer: Helsingin kamarikuoro.
    • BIS.
    • 2612.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Sonata in F major K.280 for piano

    Performer: Mitsuko Uchida.
    • PHILIPS.
    • 422-719-2.
  • Arvo Pärt

    Adagio for piano trio

    Performer: Benjamin Hudson. Performer: JĂĽrgen Kruse. Performer: Sebastian Klinger.
    • BRILLIANT CLASSICS.
    • 8847.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Sonata in A major K.331 for piano

    Performer: Arvo Pärt.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 19 Sep 2021 17:00
  • Fri 24 Sep 2021 16:30

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