Arvo Pärt (b. 1935) is one of the most popular contemporary composers and is best known for his spiritual and meditative style of music. His work offers solace, inspiration and a counterpoint to the hustle and bustle of modern life. Whether you are a seasoned devotee or discovering him for the first time, his music touches millions of listeners worldwide. In September, he celebrates his 90th birthday, but despite his advanced age, his music remains alive and well.

In addition, in 2025 we commemorate another great composer: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), named after the Italian town near Rome where he came into the world five hundred years ago. Where Palestrina refined Renaissance polyphonic Catholic church music, Pärt provided a new, spiritual dimension within modern classical music in the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Berlin RIAS Kammerchor, founded in 1948 by the radio station “Rundfunk im Amerikanischen Sektor” and developed into one of the very best choirs in the world, under the direction of conductor Kaspars Putniņš pays tribute to both grandmasters.