Arvo Pärt, born on September 11, 1935, in Paide, Estonia, is a renowned composer of contemporary classical music. He is best known for developing a unique minimalist style called "tintinnabuli" in 1976, which has had a significant impact on the understanding of music and influenced many contemporary compositions.

Pärt's early life was spent in Rakvere, where he began his musical education at the Rakvere Music School. He continued his studies at the Tallinn Music Middle School and later at the Tallinn State Conservatory under Heino Eller, graduating in 1963. During his student years, he composed several important works, including "Nekrolog" (1960) and "Perpetuum mobile" (1963).

In the 1960s, Pärt was a leading figure in the Soviet avant-garde, experimenting with modernist techniques such as dodecaphony and collage. His work "Credo" (1968) marked a turning point, leading to a creative crisis and a period of introspection. During this time, he studied Gregorian chant and early polyphony, which influenced his later compositions.

In 1980, due to political pressures, Pärt emigrated with his family to Vienna and then to Berlin, where he lived for nearly 30 years. His collaboration with ECM Records began in 1984, bringing wider recognition to his work. Pärt returned to Estonia in 2010, where he continues to reside.

Pärt's oeuvre includes a wide range of compositions, from symphonies and choral works to chamber music. Notable works include "Fratres" (1977), "Spiegel im Spiegel" (1978), and "Für Alina" (1976). His music often draws on liturgical texts and prayers, as seen in pieces like "Passio" (1982) and "Te Deum" (1985).

Throughout his career, Pärt has received numerous awards, including the Léonie Sonning Music Prize and the Légion d'honneur. The Arvo Pärt Centre, dedicated to his work, opened in Laulasmaa, Estonia, in 2018.