Some may have a way with words; Arvo Pärt has a way with sound. His so-called “holy minimalism” is a product of the experimentation and struggle from his early years. A little over 40 years ago is when it began to make sense to Pärt. He had found his voice. The world’s most famous Estonian composer had found a happy medium between dissonance and tonality. Pärt called this music “tintinnabuli” or the ringing of bells.
One of Pärt’s biggest inspirations was Benjamin Britten. For the composer’s 82nd birthday (Pärt, not Britten ;-), I am sharing his Cantus In Memorium Benjamin Britten. Pärt wrote the work in 1977 to mourn the death of Britten in December of the previous year.
Happy Birthday to one of the world’s greatest living composers!
A New Canon 