This fall St. Vladimir’s Professor of Systematic Theology Dr. Peter Bouteneff flew to Laulasmaa, Estonia, where he experienced a productive, eventful, and joyful ten-day residency at the Arvo Pärt Centre.
The residency marked a return to the Centre for Bouteneff, the director of St. Vladimir’s Seminary’s Arvo Pärt Project. He had previously traveled to Estonia with Seminary President Fr. Chad Hatfield for the Arvo Pärt Centre’s opening ceremonies in 2018, and was in residence there again for a week in November 2019.
On this latest trip to the Centre, Bouteneff was honored with a newly published Estonian translation of his book, Arvo Pärt: Out of Silence (SVS Press). The book examines the powerful interplay between Pärt’s music and the composer’s own deep roots in the Orthodox Christian faith—a relationship that has borne much creative fruit and won the hearts of countless listeners across the globe.
“Having the book available now in the composer’s native language, accessible to his own beloved fellow-citizens, means a great deal to me. I submit this book now to their judgment, not without a little fear,” said Bouteneff.
During his residency, Professor Bouteneff also chaired a panel and delivered a paper at an international conference on Pärt’s music, delivered a theological lecture at the Centre, and recorded two episodes of the Institute of Sacred Arts (ISA) podcast Luminous: Conversations on Sacred Arts. (Dr. Bouteneff also directs the ISA at St. Vladimir’s Seminary.) One of those episodes, a discussion with photographer Kaupo Kikkas, is Luminous’s latest release.
“The Arvo Pärt Centre is an academic, artistic, and spiritual home for me,” said Bouteneff. “Whenever I visit this architectural gem nestled in the Estonian forest, I am blessed with the fellowship of the Centre’s staff, visitors, and fellow devotees to Pärt’s music. And of course I cherish my encounters with Arvo and Nora Pärt, who are my dear and esteemed friends. Here, one is touching greatness.”
Professor Bouteneff with renowned composer Arvo Pärt (Photo: Birgit Püve)
ABOUT THE ARVO PÄRT PROJECT
Arvo Pärt’s spiritual roots in Orthodox Christianity have inspired the Seminary to engage in a project that has produced high-profile concerts, essays and books, official collaboration with the Arvo Pärt Centre, and cross-disciplinary panel discussions. Learn more about the Arvo Pärt Project and the Seminary’s Institute of Sacred Arts online.
