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Searching in Silence

Kate Molleson explores the extraordinary life and creative trajectory of Arvo Pärt in his 90th birthday year, with his son Michael. Today, Pärt’s Credo marks a point of no return.

Kate Molleson explores Pärt's ideological point of no-return and the remarkable hiatus which followed it.

Composer of the Week celebrates the 90th birthday of Arvo Pärt, one of the world’s most-performed and recognisable living composers. A composer who had the courage to defy Soviet edicts, to spend years searching for answers, to invent a personal language that pivots on past and present, on sound, silence and clarity. Throughout the week, Kate Molleson explores Pärt’s landmark works and extraordinary story in conversation with his son Michael. And researchers from the Arvo Pärt Centre in Laulasmaa, Estonia provide exclusive insights into Pärt’s more personal archive.

Today, we hear about the work which would become a watershed in Pärt’s life and career – his Credo. Kate and Michael talk about the aftershock of its daring premiere and the remarkable decision Pärt made next: to stop composing. Plus, Maarja Tyler gives us a glimpse into Pärt’s musical greetings.

Ukuaru Waltz
Tähe-Lee Liiv,piano

Festina Lente
Orchester der Beethovenhalle Bonn
Dennis Russell Davies, conductor

Credo
MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Chorus and Orchestra
Kristjan Järvi, conductor

Quintettino (ii. Langsam)
Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet

Symphony No 3 –2nd movements
NFM Wrocław Orchestra
Tõnu Kaljuste, conductor

When Sarah Was Ninety Years Old (excerpt)
The Hilliard Ensemble
Paul Hillier, conductor

Magnificat
SANSARA
Tom Herring, conductor

Produced by Amelia Parker for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Audio Wales and West

Release date:

59 minutes

On radio

Next Tuesday 16:00

Broadcast

  • Next Tuesday 16:00

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