Acceptance speech of Arvo Pärt, 13th Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Music and Opera

Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, the international committee deciding the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Music and Opera assessed the 31 nominees by remote means, and resolved to bestow the award in this twelfth edition on Estonian composer Arvo Pärt “for cultivating an original language, which has led to the creation of a unique sound world; a fresh approach to spiritual music, especially in his choral oeuvre, that reduces the musical material to the essence.” On hearing of the award, Pärt declared himself “delighted and grateful.”