17.9.2024 | Culture

Arvo Pärt receives the Royal Philharmonic Society’s prestigious Gold Medal

Text Susanna Poikela
Photos Birgit Püve

Estonian composer Arvo Pärt has received one of the greatest international accolades in music, the British Royal Philharmonic Society’s Gold Medal. Angela Dixon, Director of the Royal Philharmonic Society, presented the medal to the composer at a ceremony at the Arvo Pärt Centre on September 12.

The Royal Philharmonic Society’s medal recognises Arvo Pärt for creating a unique and timeless musical language that transcends countries and genres and has found its way into the hearts of listeners around the world.

In presenting the medal, Angela Dixon said: “Arvo Pärt has shown today’s young composers the weight their voices can carry.” She added that the Royal Philharmonic Society greatly appreciates the spiritual purity of Pärt’s music, which is a continuation of the sacred music tradition. Pärt’s music touches people and resonates across national and cultural boundaries.

“Pärt’s masterful creations contain an extraordinary clarity and beauty that makes us think about the nature and essence of music,” says Dixon.

On behalf of Arvo Pärt, his son Michael Pärt gave a speech of thanks. “The Royal Philharmonic Society’s Gold Medal is more than an award; it is a tribute to the timeless quality of Pärt’s music. It is music that is deeply rooted in tradition while retaining its individuality and uniqueness. My father is very moved and thanks the Royal Philharmonic Society from the bottom of his heart for this great honour and recognition.”

The Royal Philharmonic Society’s Gold Medal has been awarded since 1871 and recognises musicians and composers of different nationalities for outstanding musical achievements. The front of the medal depicts composer Ludwig van Beethoven, whose Ninth Symphony was commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society.

Previous winners include Johannes Brahms, Edward Elgar, Richard Strauss, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Jean Sibelius, Sergei Prokofiev, Igor Stravinsky, Benjamin Britten, Leonard Bernstein, Olivier Messiaen and Pierre Boulez.

Recent winners include Sofia Gubaidulina, György Kurtág, Jessye Norman, Daniel Barenboim, Janet Baker, Sir Simon Rattle, András Schiff, John Williams and Anne-Sophie Mutter.