Pärt: Silhouette, for string orchestra and percussion

The first impulse to write this work came from my spontaneous reaction to Paavo Järvis' first-class interpretations of my work, which I had heard on one of his CDs. I called him immediately to tell him of my enthusiasm, and thus discovered he was about to take on a new role as head conductor at the Orchestre de Paris.  I was filled with the irresistible urge to write something for this occasion, for his “new orchestra”.  In the course of the telephone call it emerged that Paavo Järvis agreed.  I immediately thought of Gustave Eiffel and his work, of a homage to a great architect.  I was very happy to hear that the orchestra reacted positively to my idea. 

A splendid book of illustrations of the plans and blueprints for the tower lay on my desk, captivating me.  I was impressed and inspired in many different ways by Eiffel's artistic vision, by his combination of sober rationality and elegance.  From the perspective of a composer Eiffel's tower has many features which compare to the structure of a piece of music – the connections between the structural elements, the transparency of the construction, and much more.  Even stasis, such an important aspect of architecture, is also a key element of a piece of music. 

As regards my work Silhouette, the piece came out short and light, like a dance, a waltz, something dizzying – perhaps like the winds which caress this pointed colossos.  

Arvo Pärt