I attended the Baltic Sounds concert by Giovanni Consort on Friday, 17 April, at St Patrick’s Basilica, Perth. I arrived with no expectations other than to be mesmerised by beautiful choral sounds, polished harmonies, and vocal skill — and I was certainly not disappointed.
The atmosphere inside the basilica was both beautiful and deeply respectful. The audience, many adorned with silver hair and the gentle marks of age, added to the sense of warmth and quiet appreciation that filled the space.
One of the highlights of the evening was De Profundis by Arvo Pärt. The performance was both tranquil — even dreamy — and powerful at the same time. There was an underlying sense of sadness throughout the piece, yet I felt the emotional tone gradually shift and evolve, ultimately ending with a feeling of determination and quiet strength, marked by a profound silence at the end.
Later, as I read more about the history and context of the composition, I learned that Arvo Pärt wrote De Profundis about a year after leaving Estonia, in 1977. Knowing this added another emotional layer to the experience — perhaps a sense of homesickness, longing, or even grief was present within the music all along.
During the performance, I noticed a man seated next to me listening with his eyes closed and his hands resting in a mudra position — almost as if meditating. I later mentioned this to a few friends, who explained that Arvo Pärt’s music is also very popular in yoga and meditation circles. I had no idea — but I think that is wonderful to learn.
I thoroughly enjoyed every piece performed. I was especially captivated by the pronunciation of the rolling “R” in several songs — so distinctly European and wonderfully familiar to me. It carried a comforting sense of home.
It was also interesting to later read several professional reviews of the concert, each highlighting different aspects of the performance and the repertoire.
For anyone who enjoys the music of Arvo Pärt, there are several more opportunities to experience his compositions live in Australia.
Saturday, 9 May 2026
Kanon Pokajanen
Composer’s recital: Arvo Pärt – Kanon Pokajanen
St. John’s Anglican Church, Camberwell, Victoria
Performers: Ensemble Gombert and John O’Donnell
https://events.humanitix.com/arvo-part-kanon-pokajanen
Saturday, 30 May 2026
Bogoróditse Djévo
Concert: In Paradisum
St James’ King Street, Sydney, New South Wales
Performers: Sydney Chamber Choir and Sam Allchurch
https://events.humanitix.com/scc-in-paradisum
Saturday, 25 July 2026
Spiegel im Spiegel
Concert: Twilight’s Embrace
Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC), Cairns, Queensland
Performers: Julian Smiles and Alexander Krichel
https://www.ticketlink.com.au/ticketlinkEvents/afcm/ray-golding-sunset-series-1-twilights-embrace
This 4–16 November, the Latvian Radio Choir together with Genevieve Lacey will perform works including Magnificat and Nunc dimittis across multiple Australian cities, including Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, and Sydney.
More information about the concert tour can be found here:
Musica Viva Australia — Latvian Radio Choir & Genevieve Lacey Tour
As Arvo Pärt is one of the world’s most widely performed contemporary composers, don’t miss the opportunity to experience living musical history and treat yourself to an evening of world-class music.
