CD:
Onutė Gražinytė plays Arvo Pärt

Pianist Onutė Gražinytė’s debut recording will be released by Accentus Music in honour of composer Arvo Pärt’s 85th birthday on 11 September 2020.

Pianist Onutė Gražinytė’s debut recording will be released on CD by Accentus Music. In honour of
Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, who celebrates his 85th birthday on 11 September 2020, the release
is a meditation on his sublime work, with Onutė skilfully presenting a selection of his works for and
with the piano.

Arvo Pärt’s compositions were, and are, often inspired by external circumstances, and Onutė Gražinytė chose a variety of his works for her debut release that exemplify this notion. The ethereal “Lamentate” was inspired by seeing Anish Kapoor’s colossal sculpture “Marsyas”, which prompted Arvo to see his life in a different light and question what he could do with his remaining time. Elsewhere, Arvo composed “Variations for the healing of Arinushka” in 1977 and dedicated it to his daughter, who was recovering from an operation, and the poignant “Pari intervallo” was inspired by the ensemble “Hortus Musicus”. Onutė’s most cherished works from the collection echo Arvo’s deeply personal and spiritual drive. “Für Alina” is of particular importance to the Lithuanian pianist, as she knows the mother of whom the piece was dedicated to. Onutė was also astounded by the simple notation of Arvo’s work, stating: “First you ask yourself: What is this?”. Onutė’s expert pianism, imbued with intellect and deep emotion, reveals that she has understood.

Recorded at Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall, May 2020, and the Lithuanian National Culture Centre Recording Studio, April 2019 (Lamentate).

ACC30512 – Available worldwide from 4 September 2020.

Composer Arvo Pärt
Orchestra / Band Lithuanian National Symphony Orchestra
Conductor Modestas Pitrenas
Soloist Onutė Gražinytė
Soloist Edward King
Production Company Accentus Music GmbH