In 1976, Arvo Pärt discovered a new musical language – tintinnabuli – which would subsequently go on to become the foundation of his work. Tintinnabuli has made Arvo Pärt one of the most renowned and beloved composers worldwide. But what is this phenomenon, with a Latin-derived name that evokes ringing bells, and which has drawn thousands of listeners to concert halls, sparked passionate debates among professionals about contemporary music culture and even transformed lives?
Opening in Arvo Pärt’s jubilee year and the Year of the Book in Estonia, the exhibition Tintinnabuli – A World on Music Paper takes the form of a book on a grand scale.
“A large-format book awaits visitors in the centre’s library – but this is no ordinary volume. This book, with its texts printed on real paper, responds to human presence, touch and movement. As visitors interact with the book, its pages reveal hidden layers of meaning, as if engaging with a living being or personality”, says the exhibition curator and author of the texts Maarja Tyler.
Exhibition Tintinnabuli – A World on Music Paper in Arvo Pärt Centre. Photo: Birgit Püve
The exhibition offers every visitor an opportunity to engage more deeply with Arvo Pärt’s music regardless of their prior knowledge of his work. Texts, animated musical notation, audio samples, videos, interviews and photographs guide visitors step by step through the composer’s creative journey – from modernism to crisis and searching and finally to the discovery of tintinnabuli.
The exhibition offers a multi-stage experience. Currently, visitors can explore the opening section, which focuses on the musical essence of tintinnabuli. Future sections will explore the spiritual dimension of Pärt’s work, the evolution of tintinnabuli, its reception and much more.
Tintinnabuli – A World on Music Paper is primarily intended for individual visitors and is designed to be experienced at a contemplative pace, taking around an hour and a half to fully enjoy. The exhibition was developed in close collaboration with Arvo Pärt and his wife, Nora.
The curator and author of the texts is Maarja Tyler. Kristina Kõrver and Kai Kutman are co-curators and editors. The exhibition design was created by Kärt Maran, along with Marje Eelma and Martin Eelma from the design studio Tuumik. The technical solutions were provided by Platvorm and RGB. English translations were done by Marrit Andrejeva.
Tintinnabuli – A World on Music Paper was made possible with the support of Reet and Väino Kaldoja, the law firm Cobalt, and the private hospital Fertilitas.
A month-by-month guide to events in Estonia and around the world can be found on the website of the Arvo Pärt Centre.