Saara, about whom Arvo Pärt wrote a work based on mathematical patterns just before discovering tintinnabuli, was still fruitful at the age of 90.

At 90, Arvo Pärt no longer composes new works, yet the fruits of his thoughts and the music he created earlier continue to blossom again and again in his listeners. He remains fruitful, and his luminous presence seems to expand the spiritual space in which music exerts its influence on people. To the happiness of so many who care about music.

A imagination: if the 95-year-old Tormis were to meet the 90-year-old Pärt on a forest path, he would probably roar jovially, “Arvo, you rascal, keep it up!” and slap his colleague and former student heartily on the shoulder with his big, countryside hand. The latter would look at him with a radiant gaze, smile, and say nothing.

The photo shows Arvo Pärt at Veljo Tormis’s birthday in Käsmu, in 1958. The photo was taken by Veljo Tormis.