Pärt: Credo

Paavo Järvi and the Estonian Festival Orchestra here pay tribute to Arvo Pärt, who celebrates his 90th birthday in 2025. The Estonian composer has been part of Paavo Järvi's life since childhood: “Arvo was my sister's and my father's supercool friend. He wore a baseball cap, jeans, and a denim jacket.” The history of the Järvi family is intimately linked to Pärt's work, since it was the now legendary concert in which Neeme Järvi—Paavo's father—conducted Pärt's Credo in 1968 that caused the Soviet regime to blacklist the Järvi family and precipitate their departure from Estonia. Credo is also included in this vast programme that covers 45 years of composing. What lies behind this music’s simplicity and depth? One answer possibly lies in a remark that Pärt made in London during a rehearsal with Paavo: “I have the impression that the orchestra doesn't like this chord enough.” The transformation that then occurred was incredible; the same notes, when played “with love”, sounded completely different.