Hürriyet names Arvo Pärt concert most important event of Istanbul 2010

In the lead-up to the opening festivities of Istanbul’s year as the European Capital of Culture, Turkey’s most influential newspaper, Hürriyet, outlined the key events that would be taking place in the city in 2010.

In pride of place was the world premiere of the Arvi Pärt piece commissioned by the back-to-back capitals of culture Istanbul 2010 and Tallinn 2011.

Pärt, one of the most internationally renowned contemporary composers in the world today, will unveil his new work, titled Adam’s Lament, on 7 June as part of an international music festival being held in Istanbul.

This unprecedented event will showcase the talents of the Borusan Philharmonic Orchestra (Turkey), the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the ensemble Vox Clamantis. The concert will be conducted by Tõnu Kaljuste and mark Pärt’s 75th birthday.

Hürriyet writes that the event deserves to be recognised as the most important event of the year because of the scope of international cooperation it has involved between the two capitals of culture, presenting to the public a piece "personally composed by a modern-day Mozart". In focussing on the forefather of both Christianity and Islam, Adam’s Lament will form a symbolic link between the two great religions.

"I’m so pleased Hürriyet sees it that way," said Mikko Fritze, a member of the management board of the Tallinn 2011 Foundation. "It’s a real doffing of the hat, to Estonian culture generally, but also to the hard work that the Tallinn 2011 team have put in to prepare the event."

A number of opera and literary events are also included in the Hürriyet top 10 of key events for Istanbul’s year as the European Capital of Culture.

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