To celebrate the composer’s 90th birthday, the Turku Music Festival is organizing a special program in partnership with the Arvo Pärt Centre and the Sibelius Museum in Turku, supported by the Finnish-Estonian Culture Fund and the Ministry of Culture.
The program dedicated to Pärt’s works opens on August 13 with the concert The Formula of Love at the Sibelius Museum, where young Estonian interpreters Tähe-Lee Liiv (piano) and Marcel Johannes Kits (cello) will perform Pärt’s chamber works. In cooperation with the Arvo Pärt Centre, an exhibition of the same name will also be launched.
“The exhibition ‘The Formula of Love’ addresses timeless themes that the composer has regarded as important both in his music and as a person,” explained Kai Kutman, one of the exhibition curators. “Pärt asks how to remain true to oneself despite difficulties and headwinds, and how to love every sound like a neighbour. We are delighted that thanks to the Turku Music Festival and the Sibelius Museum, the exhibition will now also reach our good neighbours in Finland.”
As part of the Night of the Arts on August 14, Estonian artist Joonas Sildre will speak about his graphic novel Between Two Sounds. The book, published in Finnish in a translation by Kaisu Lahikainen, tells the story of Arvo Pärt’s creative and personal journey from childhood to the time when the composer left Estonia with his family. Musical interludes will be performed by pianist Mart Ernesaks.
The major concert Arvo Pärt 90 will take place on August 15 at Turku Cathedral, with the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by its artistic director John Storgårds. Soloists include renowned Estonian violinists Hans Christian Aavik and Mari Poll, as well as the vocal ensemble Vox Clamantis, led by conductor Jaan-Eik Tulve. The concert’s visual design is created by Joonas Tikkanen.
The jubilee program will culminate on the evening of August 16 at Turku Cathedral with another performance by Vox Clamantis.
The Turku Music Festival (in Finnish, Turun musiikkijuhlat) is Finland’s oldest continuously operating music festival, founded in 1960. It is a diverse city festival offering high-quality music across genres—from symphony concerts and chamber music to jazz, outdoor concerts, and children’s programs. The festival annually brings together top musicians from Finland and abroad. The festival’s artistic director is Lauri Porra.
Text: Liisi Rohtung, Adviser, Communications and International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Culture
Photo: Siim Vahur
