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A graphic novel follows the celebrated Estonian composer through the cultural, political, personal, and spiritual upheavals that led to the distinctive style that made him the most performed living composer in the world.
Between Two Sounds follows the life of world-famous composer Arvo Pärt from his birth in Estonia in 1935 through 1980, when the Soviets forced him to emigrate because of the nonconformist and religious nature of his music.
Based on years of research and close collaboration with Arvo Pärt himself, Joonas Sildre paints an atmospheric portrait of a restless artist who does not shy away from confronting state control or his own internal contradictions.
Arvo Pärt stormed Soviet-occupied Estonia’s music scene in the 1960s as a brash young man pushing the limits of avant-garde modernism. Then he fell silent, no longer able to express what he felt through the musical language he had inherited. When he reemerged a decade later, he had found, in that silence between sounds, a new musical language inspired by ancient sacred music, the basis of his distinctive tintinnabuli technique. This graphic novel will appeal not just to fans of Arvo Pärt’s music but to anyone who has known the struggle to remain true to oneself whatever the cost.
Enjoy a Spotify playlist created by the author of the Arvo Pärt compositions featured in the book.
One of the things I love about Plough Publishing is that they have such a variety of books. I was invited to read this graphic novel. I had never heard of Arvo Part, but now I have and I have listened to his music. It is brilliant! The story of his life and composing was done via a graphic novel and in black and white. I think its starkness also brought a richness to the story. I loved the format of the book. This was after all a Soviet run country. Estonia is no longer a part of Russia . They declared their independence in 1991, but from 1940 on, they had been annexed by Russia. Communism was a force and even upon music. I enjoyed the story of Arvo Part and his struggle with music and the State and his genius. This book has sparked my interest in Arvo Parks music and the country he came from. Thank you Plough Publishing and NetGalley for this early read.
Reading and reviewing a graphic novel about the life of Arvo Pärt was not on my NetGalley bingo card, but here we are. This fascinating book was written by Jones Sildre - who I assume also illustrated because there is no separate artist listed - and originally published by the Arvo Pärt Centre. It is now being released by Plough Publishing House in an English translation by Adam Cullen. I found it interesting that the original Estonian version was published in 2018, the same year the Pärt Centre opened to the public. This indicates to me how important to Pärt this book was (and is), and how much the composer felt it reflected his life. In Between Two Sounds, we learn about Pärt's early call to music, his struggles with conformity, and his musical training. Initially, his career focused on film and recorded music, but throughout his life he continued to experiment with a style and form of music that pleased him. He found what he was looking for when he discovered the Russian Orthodox Church, and traced Christian musical expression down to what he felt was its essence, as found in Gregorian Chant. This led him to eventually develop his unique tintinnabuli style. His life was also shaped by his relationship to the Soviet Union, which conquered Estonia in 1944. Refusing to give in to Soviet demands for nationalistic music composed under strict rules, he eventually was forced to emigrate to Austria, eventually returning to Estonia when its independence was restored in 2010. The story is fascinating, but the book is even more interesting than a simple narrative would have been. The illustrations serve to illustrate Pärt's experimentation and composition in creative ways. Throughout, Pärt's thought process is central in a way that could only have been possible with the composer's intense collaboration. Arvo Part, now in his late 80s, has been through most of the 2000s the most performed living composer in the world (surpassed in 2019 by John Williams). I had been familiar with his work, but this wonderful book gave me new insights. Many thanks to Plough and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I requested an advanced copy of this book because I enjoy both graphic novels and biographies, so I love when the genres are combined. I had never heard of the composer Arvo Part and was curious to learn about his life. It was interesting to read about his life in the soviet Union and how his art was affected by politics. Part tried a variety of styles throughout his life, and this book led me to investigate his music which I quite enjoyed. The illustrations are completely in black and white. This may have been intentional, as it appropriately reflect black and white piano keys as well as the black and white expected behavior in the strict regime. The art also interprets the music itself graphically and expresses Parts feelings and philosophy. However, I was not prepared for all the philosophy that the main character expresses. It was interesting but seemed to bog down the book. Had I already known anything about the man, this may not have come as a surprise. I recommend this to graphic novel lovers who are also music aficionados or enjoy philosophy. It would also make an excellent addition to schools and libraries.
This thought-provoking graphic novel makes one think deeply about issues that are of the utmost significance. It inspires us to aspire to reach out for the highest and best. I encourage you to get your own copy of a graphic novel that will stay on your bookshelf forever.
My knowledge about composers and Estonia are both nil, which is rather disappointing considering this wonderful book I had the privilege of reading. I was given an early copy of Between Two Sounds: Arvo Pärt's Journey To His Musical Language by Joonas Sildre and translated by Adam Cullen. Then again, my ignorance turned out to be for the best, because I was able to learn so much about a talented composer and his life's story, which made for an exciting reading adventure. So, why did I fall in love with this book? Well, first off, I loved the title of the book - it immediately intrigued me. Secondly, the books' cover - oh, my! I loved it! It had me wanting to grab a copy of the book straightaway. And, third, it was a graphic novel - I love graphic novels! How could I resist reading this book, right? Plus, it was about a new-to-me topic, the composer, Arvo Pärt. I love learning new things and learning about a composer sounded like fun. It really did, especially given that it would be in graphic novel form - anything with illustrations will make learning a thrill. Suffice it to say, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book - it was eye-opening and fascinating. Learning about Arvo Pärt's journey is amazing - you can't help but get carried away in his story and the history - plus, the visuals add a layer of depth. Oh, and his music - what he composed was just brilliant! I found myself looking it up and listening to it as I read his story. Talk about an excellent soundtrack! All in all, Between Two Sounds is a definite must- read! I enjoyed every second I spent with this book and would definitely recommend it to everyone - make sure to check it out!
Although we are learning about the life of a composer, he speaks in a more general way about the creative process. We experience the lows and the highs, we see the birth of inspiration. And for reading, it is recommended that we listen to his music, which makes this already gripping comic even more atmospheric. I really liked the visual world, the drape colour gives it a kind of sepia tone. Only the portrayal of the music was more captivating. The notes, the five lines and the melody rush across the page in places, while in others the harmony makes a big impression. As a musician, I particularly liked these parts.
