Photo: Woesinger / CC BY-SA 2.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Arvo Pärt, born on September 11, 1935 in Paide, Järva County, Estonia, is a classical composer and musician. As of 2026, Arvo Pärt is 90 years old. Listed accolades include Knight of the Legion of Honour (2011), Herder Prize (2000), Praemium Imperiale (2014) and 5 more. Notable works include Für Lennart in memoriam, Adam's Lament and Spiegel im Spiegel.
My Take
Arvo Pärt is, for me, in a category of his own. Born in 1935 in Paide, Estonia, he invented tintinnabuli, a technique that turns sparse, bell-like tones into vast silence. Works like Spiegel im Spiegel and Fratres do something rare: they quiet the noise in your head. Rooted in Gregorian chant, his music reaches listeners far beyond any faith, which is why honors from the Praemium Imperiale to the Legion of Honour have followed him. In an age addicted to noise and speed, I find his near-silence more radical than any spectacle. He is a living legend whose restraint is his greatest power.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Arvo Pärt
- Name (Japanese)
- アルヴォ・ペルト
- Reading
- あるゔぉ・ぺると
- Born
- September 11, 1935 (age 90)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Virgo / Boar
- Origin
- Paide, Järva County, Estonia
- Occupation
- classical composer / musician / composer
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 2011 Knight of the Legion of Honour
- 2000 Herder Prize
- 2014 Praemium Imperiale
- 2008 Léonie Sonning Music Prize
- 2006 Recipient of the Order of the National Coat of Arms, 1st Class
- 2009 Honorary doctor of the University of Liège
- 2017 Ratzinger Prize
- 2003 honorary doctor of Durham University
3. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | Für Lennart in memoriam | — | |
| Notable work | Adam's Lament | — | |
| Notable work | Spiegel im Spiegel | — | |
| Notable work | In principio | — | |
| Notable work | Für Alina | — | |
| Notable work | Fratres | — |
4. Links
- Official sitehttps://www.arvopart.ee
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvo%20P%C3%A4rt
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A2%E3%83%AB%E3%83%B4%E3%82%A9%E3%83%BB%E3%83%9A%E3%83%AB%E3%83%88
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q189534
5. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-18
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Arvo Pärt born?
Born September 11, 1935 (age 90).
Where is Arvo Pärt from?
Arvo Pärt is from Paide, Järva County, Estonia.
What does Arvo Pärt do?
Arvo Pärt works as classical composer, musician, composer.
What is Arvo Pärt known for?
Notable works include Für Lennart in memoriam, Adam's Lament, Spiegel im Spiegel.