Arvo Pärt performs his Vater unser for Pope Benedict XVI

Vatican

On 4 July Arvo Pärt performed his Vater unser (Our Father) for Pope Benedict XVI at a ceremony in the Vatican celebrating the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Pärt also presented the Pope with a copy of the manuscript, which is dedicated to him.

To honour the anniversary, over 60 artists from around the world have been invited to contribute to a new exhibition of artworks. Amongst the artists are the composers Arvo Pärt, Ennio Morricone and James MacMillan.

To commemorate this historical occasion, Universal Edition has released a new edition of Pärt’s Vater unser including a CD recording of the composer performing the work together with the boy soprano Heldur Harry Põlda, who performed with Pärt at the Vatican.

Update: Our new edition is now available. Order here

For more information about Pärt’s previous audiences in the Vatican, visit the Arvo Pärt website.

First page of the manuscript