Léonie Sonning Music Prize, Denmark’s highest musical recognition is awarded to composer Arvo Pärt in 2008. The prize of 600 000 Danish crowns will be handed over on May 22 in celebratory concert conducted by Tõnu Kaljuste in Radiohusets Concert Hall in Copenhagen. During a month, several events dedicated to Arvo Pärt will take place in Denmark.
Prize committee of Sonning foundation considers Arvo Pärt, with his music rich in spiritual overtones, as one of the most original voices of our time in the international world of music. Sonning Award was established in 1959, laureates are selected by the directors of the Léonie Sonning Music Foundation. Earlier the same award has been given to Igor Stravinski, Pierre Boulez, Leonard Bernstein, Benjamin Britten, Dmitri Shostakovich, Olivier Messiaen, Mstislav Rostropovich, Miles Davis,Yehudi Menuhin, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, György Kurtág, Keith Jarrett, Gidon Kremer and others. In the concert on May 22, Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, Danish National Radio Choir and Vocal Ensemble will perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s motet „Singet dem Herrn” and Pärt’s Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten, “L’Abbé Agathon” (soloist Patricia Rozario, soprano), In principio and world premiere of These Words… for strings and percussion. Concert will be broadcasted on Klassikaraadio.
In May, there are more events dedicated to Arvo Pärt in Denmark. On May 20, vocal ensemble Ars Nova and Athelas Sinfonietta under the baton of Paul Hillier will give a concert of Pärt’s music in Copenhagen Garnison Church. Programme consists of Miserere for soloists, choir, ensemble and organ, Psalom and Da pacem Domine for string quartet, “Summa”, „Nunc dimittis” and “Solfeggio” for mixed choir, Spiegel im Spiegel for clarinet and piano. Soloists will be Else Torp (soprano), Iris Oja (mezzo soprano), Risto Joost (countertenor), Adam Riis (tenor) and Jakob Bloch (bass). Concert will take place in collaboration with the Léonie Sonning Music Foundation.
On May 18, Dorian Supin’s documentary “Arvo Pärt. 24 Preludes for a Fugue” will be shown in Copenhagen Cinemateket. The film is about Arvo Pärt’s life and work.
On May 9, Henrik Marstal’s book “Arvo Pärt – Yearning for the White Keys” came out. The book is based on author’s interviews with composer that consists the overview of Pärt’s work and also the description of the long way from the creative isolation to the status of world-famous composer. Henrik Marstal has a PhD in musicology, he has written several books on music. The book about Pärt was published by edition Gyldendal.
From April 29 to May 30, Estonian Theatre and Music Museum’s exhibition „Arvo Pärt – Reknowed and Unknowed” is opened in the house of Nordic Council of Ministers in Copenhagen. Exhibition is an attempt to give an overview of composer’s eventful and interesting course of life from childhood till today, recorded by Estonian and world top photographers.
Mariliis Valkonen