Arvo Pärt 90

Arvo Pärt 90

“Arvo Pärt likes numbers. Therefore, a concert where 3 Lindu and Arvo Pärt 90 come together is in a way symbolic. If we also add the Roman numerals VC, true numerical magic emerges. Let this be a meditation for everyone individually, and the concert an introduction to it.” (Jaan-Eik Tulve)

Today’s concert is dedicated to Arvo Pärt, an important figure for the performers, who will also celebrate his jubilee birthday in the autumn. Although Vox Clamantis and Kammerkoor Kolm Lindu had already planned to perform Pärt’s music together in 2020 (his “Passio”, which was cancelled due to COVID-19), this concert is the first realization of that collaboration. Our cooperation has been illuminating, inspiring, and heartfelt, and we hope that being here tonight will resonate with you in the way your heart seeks.

We thank all supporters and funders of the concert, especially private donors, whose contribution was truly decisive – without your help, the joint concerts and rehearsals of Kammerkoor Kolm Lindu and Vox Clamantis would not have taken place. A heartfelt thank you for this gift!

in the beginning there was light
light like a flaming star
but not bursting
rather quiet and somehow
enchantingly captivating
it came and listened
came and shared
until it reached everyone
made souls tremble
remained with us forever

(Katarina, Kammerkoor Kolm Lindu)

Arvo Pärt, one of the most performed living composers in the world. Pärt, whose person and aura we seem to constantly discuss, yet far less often his music – in depth. Pärt, whose music is known for purity and simplicity, yet behind that simplicity stand complex mathematical structures. Pärt, a textbook example of a contemporary composer who simultaneously reaches toward something far beyond the horizon with his modern musical language. Pärt, whose music first feels difficult to sing, then simple, then devilishly complex, but if you persist, one day it becomes the most natural, logical, and effortless song ever to flow from you. Pärt, who writes sacred music in the most traditional, restrained, and safe manner, yet constantly surprises with delicate but insistent twists. Pärt, whose theology resists easy categorisation. Pärt, a weaving mystery flickering in the shadows. Pärt – a bird known through song.

(Rahel, Kammerkoor Kolm Lindu)

* * *

It is difficult to fully put into words how special this was for our ensemble. Rehearsals with Jaan-Eik are never “just” choir rehearsals, and sitting and singing alternately with Vox, listening to and observing their vocal and ensemble dynamics from the side was [?]. It was truly an Experience for us. Although there were more than 40 singers in total across both ensembles, a warm and supportive atmosphere formed very quickly. To quote one of our singers, it still felt somewhat unbelievable that we were actually singing with Vox Clamantis. A miracle!

We thank all helpers, supporters, and funders of the concert, especially private donors, whose contribution was truly decisive – we have never had a project with such a large budget before, and without your help these joint concerts would not have happened. A heartfelt thank you for this gift!

To our surprise, the Tallinn concert sold out quite quickly, and in Tartu we set a new audience record – an astonishing 800 people at an a cappella (!) concert in St Paul’s Church, which even dried out the acoustics.

After the Tartu concert, a public aftertalk took place at Kolm Tilli, moderated by Reet Ristmägi, featuring a one-hour discussion with Jaan-Eik and the singers: from Vox, Anna and Tõnis answered audience questions, and from Kolm Lindu, Robert and Andres participated.

PROGRAMME

  • Gregorian invitatorium “Christum Dominum” and Psalm 94
  • Arvo Pärt “The Deer’s Cry” (2007)
  • Gregorian introit “Invocabit me”
  • Arvo Pärt “Morning Star” (2007)
  • Henrik Ødegaard, movement II from “Meditations over St. Mary Magdalene’s feast in Nidaros” (2017)
  • Arvo Pärt “Kleine Litanei” (2015)
  • Gregorian offertorium “Scapulis suis”
  • Henrik Ødegaard, movement III from “Meditations over St. Mary Magdalene’s feast in Nidaros” (2017)
  • Gregorian antiphon “Da pacem Domine”
  • Arvo Pärt “Da pacem Domine” (2004/2006)
  • Gregorian communio “Scapulis suis”
  • Arvo Pärt “Habitare fratres in unum” (2012)
  • Gregorian hymn “Vexilla regis”
  • Arvo Pärt “Gebet nach dem Kanon” (“Kanon pokajanen”, 1997)
  • Arvo Pärt “Drei Hirtenkinder aus Fatima” (2014)