In 2010, we marked the 75th birthday of the beloved Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt, and his lesser known contemporary, Georgian composer Giya Kancheli. On November 10, 2010 vibraphonist Andrei Pushkarev and pianist Andrius Zlabys celebrated the longevity of these two composers in a performance featuring works by Pärt, Kancheli and J.S. Bach.
, Isang Yun, Joji Yuasa, Toshi Ichiyanagi, Carl Stone, Maki Ishii, and Takehisa Kosugi have created works especially for her. In addition, she has also displayed her talent and technique performing works by Messaien, Boulez, Xenakis
, Takemitsu, and her brother Yuji Takahashi.
Emigrating from the Soviet Union to the West in January 1980 with his wife, Nora, and their two small sons, the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt was stopped by border police at the Brest railroad station for a luggage search. “We had only seven suitcases, full of my scores, records and tapes,” he recalled recently. “They said, ‘Let’s listen.’ It was a big station. No one else was there. We took my record player and played ‘Cantus.’ It was like liturgy. Then they played another record, ‘Missa Syllabica.’ They were so friendly to us. I think it is the first time in the history of the Soviet Union that the police are friendly.” He was joking, but not entirely. Later, when I asked Nora about that strange scene at the border, she said, “I saw the power of music to transform people.”
Arvo Pärt Composer's Portrait w/ The Wordless Music Orchestra, ACME, and soprano Martha Cluver. Tickets on sale now.
