September 11, 1935:
Arvo Pärt is born in a house on the corner of Kitsas and Väike-Aia Streets in Paide, Republic of Estonia.
March 22, 1960:
Aaron Copland (59) and Lukas Foss (37) meet with six young composers at the Composers’ Union, Moscow. Among them is Arvo Pärt (24). Copland tells his journal, “…shows considerable natural gift in his Partita for piano, tho’ the piece doesn’t quite add up.” (Bartig, 583)
December 13, 1963:
Perpetuum mobile by Arvo Pärt (28) is performed for the first time, in Tallinn.
February 7, 1964:
Symphony no.1 by Arvo Pärt (28) is performed for the first time, in Tallinn.
June 15, 1965:
Diagrammid for piano by Arvo Pärt (29) is performed for the first time, at the House of Composers in Tallinn. It is a mixture of serial and aleatoric techniques, and is viewed as “experimental.”
November 16, 1968:
Credo for chorus and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (33) is performed for the first time, in Tallinn. Its fusion of experimental ideas, and the religious text, cause the Soviet authorities to ban it and some other music by Pärt.
September 21, 1972:
Symphony no.3 by Arvo Pärt (37) is performed for the first time, in Tallinn.
April 7, 1977:
Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten for strings and bell by Arvo Pärt (41) is performed for the first time, in Estonia Concert Hall, Tallinn.
September 30, 1977:
Tabula rasa, a double concerto for two violins, strings, and prepared piano by Arvo Pärt (42) is performed for the first time, in Tallinn.
January 18, 1980:
Arvo Pärt (44), his wife and two sons, exit visas in hand, board a train in Tallinn making for Vienna.
August 17, 1980:
Fratres for violin and piano by Arvo Pärt (44) is performed for the first time, in the Festspielhaus, Salzburg.
October 12, 1980:
Annum per annum for organ by Arvo Pärt (45) is performed for the first time, in the Dom zu Speyer.
April 23, 1981:
Concerto for violin, cello, and chamber orchestra by Arvo Pärt (45) is performed for the first time, in London.
April 25, 1981:
De Profundis for male chorus, percussion, and organ by Arvo Pärt (45) is performed for the first time, in the Martinskirche, Kassel.
October 9, 1981:
Credo for piano, chorus, and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (46) is performed for the first time, in Edinburgh.
February 8, 1982:
Fratres for chamber ensemble by Arvo Pärt (46) is performed for the first time, in Vienna.
September 18, 1982:
Fratres for four, eight, or twelve cellos by Arvo Pärt (47) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
November 27, 1982:
Passio Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundum Joannum for chorus and chamber ensemble by Arvo Pärt (47) is performed for the first time, in Munich.
April 29, 1983:
Fratres I for string orchestra and percussion by Arvo Pärt (47) is performed for the first time, in Stockholm.
October 7, 1983:
Wenn Bach Bienen gezüchtet hätte, a concertino for harpsichord, electric bass, magnetic tape, and chamber ensemble by Arvo Pärt (48), is performed for the first time, in Graz.
March 10, 1984:
Sarah was Ninety Years Old for three voices by Arvo Pärt (48) is performed for the first time, in New York. Also premiered is the first setting of Pärt’s Hymn to a Great City for two pianos.
April 28, 1984:
An den Wassern zu Babel sassen Wir und weintern for voices and instruments by Arvo Pärt (48) is performed for the first time, in Witten. Also premiered is Pärt’s Zwei Slawische Psalmen for vocal soloists and chorus.
November 17, 1984:
Es sang vor langen Jahren by Arvo Pärt (49) is performed for the first time, at the Hochschüle für Musik, Hannover.
January 19, 1985:
Te Deum for three choirs, piano, strings, and tape by Arvo Pärt (49) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.
October 30, 1985:
Stabat mater for soprano, alto, tenor, violin, viola, and cello by Arvo Pärt (49) is performed for the first time, in Konzerthaus Vienna.
June 12, 1986:
Fratres for string quartet by Arvo Pärt (50) is performed for the first time, in London.
July 27, 1987:
Arbos for eight brass and percussion by Arvo Pärt (51) is performed for the first time, in Aptos, California.
June 26, 1988:
Festina Lente for strings and harp by Arvo Pärt (53) is performed for the first time, in Bonn.
October 11, 1988:
Seven Magnificat Antiphons by Arvo Pärt (53) are performed for the first time, in Berlin.
June 17, 1989:
Miserere for solo voices, chorus, chamber ensemble, and organ by Arvo Pärt (53) is performed for the first time, in Rouen.
July 9, 1989:
Mein Weg hat Gipfel und Wellentäler for organ by Arvo Pärt (53) is performed for the first time, in Parainen, Finland.
July 30, 1989:
Fratres for cello and piano by Arvo Pärt (53) is performed for the first time, in Hitzacker.
May 23, 1990:
Magnificat for chorus by Arvo Pärt (54) is performed for the first time, in Stuttgart.
May 24, 1990:
Berliner Messe by Arvo Pärt (54) is performed for the first time, in St. Hedwigs-Kathedrale, Berlin.
May 25, 1990:
Two works by Arvo Pärt (54) are performed for the first time, in the Nathanaelkirche, Berlin: The Beatitudes and Nun eile ich zu euch.
October 3, 1990:
Statuit ei Dominus by Arvo Pärt (55) is performed for the first time, in Basilica di San Petronio, Bologna.
October 5, 1990:
Beatus Petronius by Arvo Pärt (55) is performed for the first time, in Basilica di San Petronio, Bologna.
December 24, 1990:
Mother of God and Virgin for chorus by Arvo Pärt (55) is performed for the first time, in Cambridge.
July 4, 1991:
Silouan’s Song for strings by Arvo Pärt (55) is performed for the first time, in Rättvik, Sweden.
November 18, 1991:
Several new works are performed for the first time, in the Konzerthaus, Vienna to celebrate the 90th birthday of Alfred Schlee, director of Universal Edition: Pièce pour piano et quatuor à cordes by Olivier Messiaen (82), Anthèmes I for violin by Pierre Boulez (66), the second movement of the Sonata for viola by Györgi Ligeti (68), Psalom for string quartet by Arvo Pärt (56), Zwischen den Zeilen for string quartet by Wolfgang Rihm (39), and Freize I for string quartet by Harrison Birtwistle (57). See 19 October 1997, 28 March 1993, 23 April 1994, and 28 April 1996.
December 18, 1991:
The orchestral setting of Berliner Messe by Arvo Pärt (56) is performed for the first time, at Schloss Werneck near Schweinfurt.
February 9, 1992:
And one of the Pharisees for alto, tenor, and bass voices by Arvo Pärt (56) is performed for the first time, in Davis, California.
July 18, 1992:
Trisagion for strings by Arvo Pärt (56) is performed for the first time, in Ilomantsi, Finland.
February 13, 1993:
Fratres for violin, strings, and percussion by Arvo Pärt (57) is performed for the first time, in Perth, Australia.
June 24, 1994:
Litany: Prayers of St. John Chrysostom for Each Hour of the Day and Night for soloists, chorus, and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (58) is performed for the first time, in Eugene, Oregon.
October 23, 1994:
Concerto piccolo über B-A-C-H for trumpet, harpsichord, piano, and strings by Arvo Pärt (59) is performed for the first time, in Göteborg.
November 19, 1995:
A revised version of An den Wassern zu Babel sassen Wir und weitern by Arvo Pärt (60) is performed for the first time, in Stockholm. Also premiered is Pärt’s Pari intervallo for clarinet, trombone, and strings. See 28 April 1984.
June 22, 1996:
I am the True Vine for chorus by Arvo Pärt (61) is performed for the first time, in Norwich Cathedral.
October 18, 1997:
Two works for chorus to Biblical words by Arvo Pärt (62) are performed for the first time, in Karlstad Cathedral, Sweden: Tribute to Caesar and The Woman with the Alabaster Box.
December 6, 1997:
Dopo La Vittoria for chorus by Arvo Pärt (62) is performed for the first time, in Basilica di San Simpliciano, Milan.
March 17, 1998:
Kanon Pokajanen for chorus by Arvo Pärt (62) is performed for the first time, in the Cologne Cathedral. It is followed by the premiere of Pärt’s Gebet nach dem Kanon.
April 30, 1998:
Triodion for chorus by Arvo Pärt (62) is performed for the first time, in Westminster Abbey.
February 3, 1999:
Como cierva sedienta for soprano and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (63) to words of the Psalms is performed for the first time, in Teatro Guimera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. See 16 June 2000.
November 19, 1999:
Cantique des degrés for chorus and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (64) to words of the Psalms is performed for the first time, in the Cathedrale de Monte Carlo.
May 27, 2000:
My Heart is in the Highlands by Arvo Pärt (64) is performed for the first time, in a recording session in Avignon. See 23 November 2000.
June 16, 2000:
Como cierva sedienta for soprano and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (64) to words of the Psalms is performed for the first time in the version for female choir and orchestra, in Teatro Guimera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. See 3 February 1999.
July 15, 2000:
The second setting of Hymn to a Great City for two pianos by Arvo Pärt (64) is performed for the first time, in Lockenhaus.
August 26, 2000:
Which was the son of for chorus by Arvo Pärt (64) is performed for the first time, in Hallgrimskirkja Cathedral, Reykjavik.
September 2, 2000:
Zwei Beter for women’s chorus by Arvo Pärt (64) to words of the Bible is performed for the first time, in Hannover.
September 30, 2000:
Orient and Occident for strings by Arvo Pärt (65) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
November 2, 2000:
Fratres, in the setting for guitar, strings, and percussion by Arvo Pärt (65), is performed for the first time, in La Coruña, Spain.
November 19, 2000:
Cecilia, vergine romana for chorus and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (65) to words of the Roman Breviary is performed for the first time, in Rome.
November 23, 2000:
My Heart is in the Highlands for alto and organ by Arvo Pärt (65) is performed for the first time before a live audience, in the Cathedral of Saluzzo, Italy. See 25 May 2000.
February 21, 2001:
Littlemore Tractus for chorus and organ by Arvo Pärt (65) is performed for the first time, at St. Nicholas’ Church, Oxford.
April 7, 2001:
Ein Wallfahrtslied for tenor and string quartet by Arvo Pärt (65) to words of the Psalms is performed for the first time, in Tallinn.
August 15, 2001:
Nunc dimittis for chorus by Arvo Pärt (65) is performed for the first time, in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh.
December 9, 2001:
Fratres, in the setting for cello, strings, and percussion by Arvo Pärt (66), is performed for the first time, in De Doelen, Rotterdam.
May 21, 2002:
Salve Regina for chorus and organ by Arvo Pärt (66) is performed for the first time, in Essen Cathedral.
June 24, 2002:
Beatitudines for chorus and organ by Arvo Pärt (66) is performed for the first time, in the Church of San Pietro Martire, Monza.
February 7, 2003:
Lamentate for piano and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (67) is performed for the first time, in the Tate Gallery, London.
February 12, 2003:
Peace Upon You, Jerusalem for women’s chorus by Arvo Pärt (67) to words of the Psalms, is performed for the first time, in New York.
May 22, 2003:
In principio for chorus and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (67) to words from the Bible, is performed for the first time, in Herz Jesu Kirche, Graz.
October 11, 2003:
Passacaglia for violin and piano by Arvo Pärt (68) is performed for the first time, in Hannover.
October 15, 2003:
Most Holy Mother of God for four solo voices by Arvo Pärt (68) is performed for the first time, at Durham University.
March 18, 2004:
Anthem of St. John the Baptist for chorus and organ by Arvo Pärt (68) to words of the Bible is performed for the first time, in the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford.
May 5, 2004:
L’abbé Agathon for soprano and eight cellos by Arvo Pärt (68) is performed for the first time, in Beauvais. See 10 July 2005.
July 1, 2004:
Da pacem Domine for chorus by Arvo Pärt (68) is performed for the first time, in Barcelona. See 27 April 2008.
July 1, 2004:
Da pacem Domine for chorus and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (68) is performed for the first time, in Barcelona. See 27 April 2008.
December 6, 2004:
Musical America names Arvo Pärt (69) as its “composer of the year” in a ceremony in Carnegie Hall, New York.
December 12, 2004:
Fratres, in the version for brass orchestra, by Arvo Pärt (69) is performed for the first time, in Hilgen.
March 29, 2005:
Da pacem domine for chorus by Arvo Pärt (69) is performed for the first time, in St. Gerold.
July 10, 2005:
Two works by Arvo Pärt (69) are performed for the first time, in the Stiftskirche Ossiach: the church opera Der Weg to words of Deutsch, and L’abbé Agathon in the version for soprano, four violas, and four cellos. See 5 May 2004.
July 11, 2005:
Vater unser for boy soprano and piano by Arvo Pärt (69) is performed for the first time, in Ossiach, Austria, the composer at the keyboard.
July 21, 2005:
Arvo Pärt (69) is awarded the European Sacred Music Prize in Schwäbisch-Gmünd, Germany.
February 15, 2006:
Two works for orchestra by Arvo Pärt (70) are performed for the first time, in Turin Cathedral: La Sindone and La tela traslata.
March 26, 2006:
Für Lennart in memoriam for string orchestra by Arvo Pärt (70) is performed for the first time, in Tallinn. It was commissioned by former Estonian President Lennart Meri for his own funeral.
September 28, 2006:
Veni Creator for chorus and organ by Arvo Pärt (71) is performed for the first time, in the Fulda Cathedral.
November 2, 2006:
Da pacem Domine for string orchestra by Arvo Pärt (71) is performed for the first time, in Tallinn Cathedral.
May 18, 2007:
Da pacem Domine for chorus and string orchestra by Arvo Pärt (71) is performed for the first time, in Niguliste Church, Tallinn.
June 4, 2007:
Passacaglia for one or two violins, vibraphone, and string orchestra by Arvo Pärt (71) is performed for the first time, in the Ludwigskirche, Saarbrücken.
December 10, 2007:
Morning Star for chorus by Arvo Pärt (72) is performed for the first time, at St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London. The text comes from a prayer above the tomb of St. Bede at Durham Cathedral.
February 13, 2008:
Deer’s Cry for chorus by Arvo Pärt (72) to the Lorica of St. Patrick, is performed for the first time, in Dundalk and Drogheda, Ireland.
April 27, 2008:
Two works by Arvo Pärt (72) are performed for the first time, in the Erlöserkirche, Potsdam: Da pacem domine for chorus and orchestra, and De profundis for male voices and chamber orchestra. See 1 July 2008 and 25 April 1981.
May 22, 2008:
“These Words…” for strings and percussion by Arvo Pärt (72) is performed for the first time, in Copenhagen on the occasion of Pärt receiving the Léonie Sonning Music Prize.
June 12, 2008:
Stabat mater for chorus and strings by Arvo Pärt (72) is performed for the first time, in the Musikvereinsaal, Vienna.
October 21, 2008:
O-Antiphonen for eight cellos by Arvo Pärt (73) is performed for the first time, in Amsterdam.
November 15, 2008:
Fratres for viola, strings, and percussion by Arvo Pärt (73) is performed for the first time, in Kronborg Castle, Helsingör, Denmark.
December 20, 2008:
Alleluia-Tropus for chorus and eight cellos ad lib by Arvo Pärt (73) is performed for the first time, in Bari.
January 10, 2009:
Symphony no.4 “Los Angeles” by Arvo Pärt (73) is performed for the first time, in Disney Hall, Los Angeles.
February 9, 2009:
Pari intervallo for piano four hands or two pianos by Arvo Pärt (73) is performed for the first time, at the Mannes College of Music, New York.
February 27, 2009:
Sei gelobt, du Baum for baritone, violin, quinterne, and double bass by Arvo Pärt (73) to words of Luik is performed for the first time, in Willisau, Switzerland.
January 28, 2010:
Missa syllabica for voices and strings by Arvo Pärt (74) is performed for the first time, in Basilica di San Petronio, Bologna.
February 17, 2010:
Missa brevis for twelve cellos by Arvo Pärt (74) is performed for the first time, in the Konzerthaus, Berlin.
May 22, 2010:
Veni Creator for chorus and strings by Arvo Pärt (73) is performed for the first time, in Lublin.
June 7, 2010:
Adam’s Lament for chorus and strings by Arvo Pärt (74) is performed for the first time, in Istanbul.
August 29, 2010:
Missa Brevis for eight cellos by Arvo Pärt (75) is performed for the first time, in Estonia.
September 9, 2010:
In spe for four woodwinds, horn, and orchestra by Arvo Pärt (74) is performed for the first time, in the Vale of Glamorgan, Great Britain.
September 11, 2010:
On the 75th birthday of Arvo Pärt, his Kyrie for carillon is performed for the first time, at the Lutheran Church of the Trinity in Rakvere, Estonia, his childhood home. Later, a bronze sculpture by Aivar Simson is unveiled. Titled Boy on a Bicycle Listening to Music, it is inspired by Pärt’s own experiences as a boy, riding through the center of Rakvere listening to radio broadcasts of symphonic music.
November 4, 2010:
Silhouette for strings and percussion by Arvo Pärt (75) is performed for the first time, in Salle Pleyel, Paris.
July 22, 2011:
Summa for guitar quartet by Arvo Pärt (75) is performed for the first time, in Cork, Ireland.
September 9, 2011:
Three works by Arvo Pärt (75) recast from earlier incarnations are performed for the first time in the Auditorium of RAI, Turin: Beatus Petronius for two choruses, eight winds, percussion, and strings, Salve Regina for chorus, percussion, and strings, and Statuit ei Dominus for two choruses, eight winds, and strings.
November 2, 2011:
The Ordre National de la Légion d’honneur is presented to Arvo Pärt (76) by Minister of Culture Frédéric Mitterrand in Paris.
November 5, 2011:
Solfeggio for eight cellos by Arvo Pärt (76) is performed for the first time, in Schinkel-Kirche, Neuhardenberg, Germany.
October 18, 2012:
Virgencita chorus by Arvo Pärt (77) is performed for the first time, in Léon, Mexico.
November 17, 2012:
Habitrare fratres in unum for chorus by Arvo Pärt (77) to words of Psalm 133 is performed for the first time, in Paris.
October 3, 2013:
Vater unser for boy’s voice or countertenor and string quintet or string orchestra by Arvo Pärt (78) is performed for the first time, in Wollongong, Australia.
January 24, 2014:
A revised version of La Sindone for orchestra by Arvo Pärt (78) is performed for the first time, in Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, New York.
January 29, 2014:
Swansong for orchestra by Arvo Pärt (78) is performed for the first time, in the Großes Festspielhaus, Salzburg.
May 29, 2014:
My Heart’s in the Highlands for countertenor, violin, viola, cello, and piano by Arvo Pärt (78) is performed for the first time, in Washington.
August 27, 2014:
Drei Hirtenkinder aus Fátima for chorus by Arvo Pärt (78) to words of the Bible is performed for the first time, in Basel.
May 12, 2015:
Adam’s Passion, a new stage work by Robert Wilson based on the music of Arvo Pärt (79) is staged for the first time, in Tallinn. It includes already composed works by Pärt, Adam’s Lament, Miserere, and Tabula rasa along with the premiere of Sequentia.
September 14, 2015:
Works for saxophone quartet by Arvo Pärt (80) are performed for the first time, in the Chiesa della Santa Croce, Torgiano: Pari intervallo, Solfeggio, and a setting of Fratres.
December 10, 2015:
Kleine Litanei for chorus by Arvo Pärt (80) is performed at reopening of the subterranean Virgilkapelle, Vienna.