Arvo Pärt’s “Between Two Sounds” Finally Reaches Latvian Readers After 18-Year Journey

After an 18-year journey marked by creative challenges and publishing hurdles, the graphic novel “Between Two Sounds. Arvo Pärt’s Path to His Own Sound Language” is now available to Latvian readers, thanks to the publishing house “Aminori” and translator Maima Grīnberga. The book chronicles the life of the world-renowned Estonian composer Arvo Pärt from his birth in 1935 through 1980, a period culminating in his forced emigration due to the non-conformist and religious nature of his music under Soviet rule.

A Long Road to Publication

The path to publishing the graphic novel, created by Estonian artist Joonas Sildre, was not without its obstacles. Grīnberga initially faced rejection from several publishers concerned about the potential for insufficient returns on a publication of this nature. One publisher initially accepted the book but later withdrew, citing high production costs associated with its complex typographical design.

the book was published in Latvian seven years after its initial presentation in Estonia, coinciding with Arvo Pärt’s 90th birthday. “Aminori” is credited with successfully bringing this operate to Latvian audiences.

From Pirated CD to Artistic Inspiration

Joonas Sildre’s fascination with Pärt’s music began in 2000 with a CD gifted by a friend. This initial exposure sparked a ten-year research process that informed his artistic interpretation of the composer’s life and work. Sildre now shares his insights with young artists at the Estonian Academy of Arts, where he teaches visual arts and graphics.

The Power of Translation and a Personal Connection

The Latvian edition benefits from the translation work of Maima Grīnberga, whose connection to Pärt’s music dates back to the 1990s. Grīnberga recalls a pivotal moment in 1992 when she experienced Pärt’s “De profundis” performed by Kaspars Putniņš’ vocal group and Juris Kulakovs at Riga’s St. Peter’s Church. The graphic novel features minimal text, but Grīnberga’s translation emphasizes the composer’s own words, revealing the origins of Pärt’s unique tintinnabuli style and how Sildre visually represents the creation of his music.

Beyond Pärt: Grīnberga’s Other Work

Maima Grīnberga has similarly recently translated another significant Estonian work: Karl Ristikivi’s novel “Dvēseļu nakts” (Night of Souls), promising a compelling literary experience for Latvian readers.

What is a Graphic Novel?

While some, like Alīse Nīgale, refer to the work as a comic, Grīnberga emphasizes the term “graphic novel” lends a sense of seriousness to the form.