Tuesday afternoon, people lined in their dozens around John F. Kennedy Centre, Washington. An hour and a half ere the event was due to start, fans braved the blazing sun for a free ticket to a concert by Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra performing works of world famed Estonian composer Arvo P\u00e4rt.<\/p>\n
Before the concert ever kicked into gear, as the 2,400 gathered learned of the composer seated in their midst, their welcoming roar was altogether deafening. Thus, the modest and limelight-shy Arvo P\u00e4rt couldn\u2019t help but stand for a second and do a timid wave.<\/p>\n
After the event, Mr P\u00e4rt confessed to be deeply touched by the warm reception. \u00abThe attention. The quiet during the concert. The best of our musicians gathered again, to my surprise… it was a rare rendering,\u00bb he said in his own quiet way, underlining each word uttered. \u00abWe have a lot of work to do here. We have three major concerts yet to come. We hope we will make it and carry it to the finish line. Thanks for all who put such big events on their agendas, and up to now it has really been an unforeseen success.\u00bb<\/p>\n
The hour and a half concert ended with a thunderous applause nearing the five minute mark. Only when absolutely convinced that Mr P\u00e4rt would not be popping up any more, on the platform, the overjoyed audience poured out of the hall.<\/p>\n
T\u00f5nu Kaljuste, the conductor, compared the final chords to a goal in ice hockey. \u00abThey sprang to their feet as one. One could feel it was quite an experience, for them. Deeply touching to behold.\u00bb<\/p>\n
T\u2019was a motley crew that gathered to the hall \u2013 Estonians abroad in their folk costumes, the shorts and T-shirt guys, the black dress high heeled ladies boasting pearls. All united by dedication and desire to partake of Mr P\u00e4rt\u2019s music.<\/p>\n
The public at Kennedy Centre\u2019s Millennium series was not a random pick. For instance: a grey headed gentleman in a grey suit, lost in the wonder of the music, must not have been aware he was also \u00abconducting\u00bb the opening piece, \u00abFratres\u00bb.<\/p>\n
Even the tiniest of the listeners, about three years of age, had something on offer. My eye caught two little ones, seated in daddy\u2019s lap; during the second work performed, called \u00abAdam\u2019s Lament\u00bb, they were clinging tight to his neck. As the piece drew to its end, their grip had weakened and, trusting the embrace of the music, the children were sound asleep.<\/p>\n
Seated in the box opposite the platform, Arvo P\u00e4rt listened to the concert, also including his homage to Benjamin Britten and \u00abTe Deum\u00bb, is his unmistakable posture \u2013 hands joined as if praying, he only stuck them behind his ears at the most sensitive moments, to better catch each note.<\/p>\n
As admitted by T\u00f5nu Kaljuste, in a large hall like the Kennedy Centre\u2019s, rather meant for a large symphony orchestra, performing with two \u00abchambers\u00bb was complex, when it came to keeping the intensity and the large crowd. \u00abIt\u2019s the hardest to keep peak attention with the quieter music, such as takes much focus,\u00bb explained Mr Kaljuste.<\/p>\n
According to Mr Kaljuste, one needs to go to America regularly, like every four-five years, as the US public is excellent to charge the batteries. \u00abTheir reception and the entire support towards musicians, it enormous. You always feel the support.\u00bb<\/p>\n
The choir and orchestra tour is to continue: today, a concert is held at Phillips Collection Museum, Washington. Tomorrow, they\u2019ll perform at the renowned\u00a0 Carnegie Hall of New York, and on June 2nd the chamber choir sings at Metropolitan Art Museum. Arvo P\u00e4rt will sit in each of the events.<\/p>\n
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