An alternative version of the discography, listed by Label. The contents of each disc are listed, along with brief comments on recommended CDs.  Recommendation is dependent on performance and recording quality and also takes into account rival recordings. Luckily, few genuinely poor performances have been committed to disc. Those which are worth avoiding I have noted, with reasons given. Discs with no comment are good performances, well recorded, but up against stiff competition. Links are to sites where you should be able to purchase the more difficult to find CDs. I will check for broken links as frequently as is practical, but cannot guarantee 100% accuracy.

The Arvo Pärt Discography was compiled by Doug Maskew
with Alan Teder, Eric Marinitsch, Stephen Wright and David Pinkerton.
Information on Estonian vinyl and cassette releases was compiled by Andres Didrik.
Last updated: 15 May 2005
comments and additional info always appreciated: e-mail Doug Maskew
copyright © Doug Maskew, 1996-2005.

Academy Story Line #1445 Rachel River [1992 - NTSC VHS tape]
artists unknown
Rachel River (1989 US film with original music by Arvo Pärt)
Unfortunately I have to advise avoidance of this one. The movie itself seems incomprehensible and the soundtrack has reproduced very poorly on the tape. There is no genuinely new music but the arrangements of works such as Fratres are, at least, by the composer. Of interest only to the enthusiast.

Albany TROY603 The Ciompi Quartet: Melancholie [2003]
Steven Tharp/The Ciompi Quartet
Ein Wallfahrtslied version for tenor and string quartet
Only recording available of this version so of interest to the enthusiast. Otherwise, a surprisingly lack-lustre performance.

Amiata ARNR 0496 Steve Reich, Arvo Pärt, a.o.: New Music Masters [1996]
Goffredo degli Esposti
Pari Intervallo (version for 4 recorders)
Première recording of Pari Intervallo in this arrangement, but that by Benedikta Bonitz on PMP CD001 is preferable and has the bonus of being partnered by another Pärt piece for recorder group, Arbos.

Arabesque Z6676 The Kalichstein, Laredo, Robinson Trio - Legacies [1996]
The Kalichstein, Laredo, Robinson Trio
Adagio (Mozart Adagio)
Premiere recording of the Mozart Adagio, played here by its dedicatees. Recommended.

Arion ARN688595 Vox Clamantis: Annum per annum [2002]
Aare-Paul Lattik
Annum per annum
Mein Weg Hat Gipfel und Wellentäler
Pari intervallo
Trivium
The complete organ works in individual interpretations. Against the likes of Bowers-Broadbent on ECM, these cannot be considered definitive recordings, but this is an interesting, well presented programme nevertheless. Worth considering. www.arion-music.com

Arthaus Musik 100 248 Arvo Pärt: St. John Passion [2001 - Region 2 PAL format DVD]
Hilliard Ensemble/Western Wind/Paul Hillier (recorded 1988)
Passio (St. John Passion)
Originally made for C4 television in the UK in 1988, Paul Hillier and The Hilliard Ensemble captured at the peak of their working relationship with Pärt. For Hillier, Passio is still the finest example of Pärt's tintinnabuli style. Essential.

ATMA ACD 2 2115 Lise Daoust & Marie-Josée Simard: L'Aube Enchantée [1996]
Marie-Josée Simard & Lise Daoust
Spiegel Im Spiegel (version for vibraphone & flute, arr. Marie-Josée Simard)
A favourite piece with arrangers, this version works well, retaining the qualities of the violin/piano original. Recommended.

Audio Video Aktuell I.9 Europa Cantat XIII, Neuer Dom 26 July 1997 [1997 - cassette only]
Europa Cantat Choir/Bayerisches Landesjugendorchester/Tõnu Kaljuste
Te Deum
Doubtful that this recording is still available, but it's only of real interest to the enthusiast. A youth choir and orchestra under the expert guidance of Tõnu Kaljuste.

Auvidis Montaigne MO 782027 The Arditti String Quartet: From Vienna [1994]
Arditti Quartet
Psalom (version for string quartet)
Of the two recordings available of the version for string quartet, the Arditti Quartet have the performance edge over the Kronos Quartet (on Nonesuch). The recording may be a bit grainier here but it matches the performance well, where Kronos can sound too smooth. Recommended.

BBC Radio Classics BBCRD9129 Music by Bridge, Britten and Pärt [1995]
BBC Symphony Orchestra/Gennadi Rozhdestvensky
Cantus In Memoriam Benjamin Britten (original version, UK premiere - recorded 1979)
An interesting disc as it includes the only available recording of the original version of the Cantus. The differences are small however, so this is not an essential purchase.

BBC Radio Classics 15656 91962 Alfred Schnittke: Symphony no.2 [1997]
BBC Symphony Orchestra/Gennadi Rozhdestvensky
Pas de quatre
This is one for the dedicated enthusiast only. Pärt seems to have had little real involvement in the composition of this collaboration with Alfred Schnittke, Edison Denisov and Gennadi Rozhdestvensky. He contributed only a theme for the third part (orchestrated by Rozhdestvensky), lifted from his own Wenn Bach Bienen Gezüchtet Hätte. Of interest only to the enthusiast.

Beaux 2018 Arvo Pärt: Works for Choir [2002]
Vilnius Municipal Choir Jauna Muzika/Vaclovas Augustinas
The Beatitudes
Magnificat
Magnificat Antiphonen
Nýnje k wam pribjegája (Ode IX from Kanon Pokajanen)
Summa (version for SATB choir)
A small collection of choral pieces competently performed, but the short running time of the disc and easy availability of all the works in superior performances make this difficult to recommend.

BIS CD434 Arvo Pärt: Early Orchestral Works [1989]
Bamberg Symphony/Neeme Järvi/Frans Helmerson
Perpetuum Mobile, op.10
Pro et Contra, cello concerto
Symphony no.1 (Polyphonic)
Symphony no.2
Symphony no.3
Première recordings of the 2nd and 3rd symphonies, and CD premières for all 5 pieces, in the more than capable hands of long-time Pärt collaborator Neeme Järvi, dedicatee of the 3rd. Essential.

BIS CD574 Tallinn String Quartet: Chamber Music from Estonia [1993]
Tallinn Quartet
Fratres (version for string quartet, arr Arvo Pärt)
There are several good performances of the version for string quartet and this is one of them. The Tallinn Quartet have recorded it twice (the other in the same year for FG Classics). If you're after a recording of the string quartet, the choice is dictated by accompanying programme content. Recommended.

BIS CD1208 Håkan Hardenberger/Neeme Järvi: Trumpet Concertos by Martinsson, Pärt & Tamberg [2002]
Håkan Hardenberger/Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Neeme Järvi
Concerto Piccolo on B.A.C.H. (arranged from Collage on B.A.C.H.)
Première recording of this otherwise unavailable piece. Excellent reading by the dedicatees and the qualities of the piece are fully revealed in BIS's typical recorded sound  Recommended.

BIS CD300834 Arvo Pärt: Summa (repackaged BIS 30th Anniversary edition of CD834) [2003]
Tapiola Sinfonietta/Jean-Jacques-Kantorow/Jan Söderblom/Tero Latvala
Cantus In Memoriam Benjamin Britten (revised version)
Collage on the theme B.A.C.H.
Festina Lente
Fratres (version for string orchestra and percussion)
Summa (version for string orchestra)
Tabula Rasa
A mid-price re-release of BIS CD834. A fine collection of some of the best known pieces for string orchestra. Recommended.

Black Box BBM1071 Arvo Pärt: Stabat mater, a.o. [2004]
Chamber Domaine/Stephen De Pledge/Choir of St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh/Matthew Owens
Es sang vor langen Jahren
Stabat Mater
Magnificat
Nunc dimittis
My Heart's in The Highlands
Sonatinas, op.1 nos.1&2
Spiegel im spiegel (version for violin and piano)
Something of a mixed bag. Other than those of the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis, the purist may find these readings - particularly that of Spiegel im spiegel - somewhat unusual, but there is no doubting the high standard of the performances. Recommended.

Catalyst 09026 61824 2 Maria Bachmann: Fratres [1993]
Maria Bachmann/Jon Klibonoff
Fratres (version for violin and piano)
A very different approach to that of Kremer and Jarrett for ECM, but this is one of the best alternative readings. Recommended.

Claudio Records CC4943-2 The Choir of Lancing College: Triodion [1999]
Lancing College Choir/Neil Cox
Triodion
Première recording for Triodion and a fine performance. But some peak distortion on the recording leads me to advise going for the performance by Polyphony (on Hyperion). Recommended with caution.

Delos 1031 Secret Classics [1994]
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra/Neeme Järvi
Cantus In Memoriam Benjamin Britten (revised version)
Dreadful compilation CD which has managed to stay in the catalogue for years. The recording of Cantus is taken from BIS CD420. Also available as Conifer WRAP1. Avoid

Deutsche Grammophon 457 647 2 Arvo Pärt: Tabula Rasa, Fratres and Symphony No. 3 [1999]
Gil Shaham/Adele Anthony/Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra/Neeme Järvi
Fratres (version for violin, string orchestra & percussion)
Symphony no.3
Tabula Rasa
Disappointing release from Järvi, one of Pärt's finest interpreters.

ECM 1275 (817 764 2) Arvo Pärt: Tabula Rasa [1984]
Berlin Philharmonic/Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra/Gidon Kremer/Tatjana Grindenko/Keith Jarrett
Staatsorchester Stuttgart/Dennis Russel Davies
Cantus In Memoriam Benjamin Britten (revised version)
Fratres (version for 12 cellos)
Fratres (version for violin and piano)
Tabula Rasa
The CD that started it all off. This was the first recording released outside Estonia and the Soviet Bloc and immediately brought Pärt's music to a much wider audience. The recordings of Tabula rasa (taken from a German radio broadcast) and Gidon Kremer & Keith Jarrett's reading of Fratres are definitive. The Cantus is taken rather quicker than most recordings which, for me, robs it of some of its intensity. All in all though, an essential purchase. Essential.

ECM 1592 (449 810 2) Arvo Pärt: Litany [1996]
Hilliard Ensemble/Estonian Philharmonic Choir/Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
Litany (Prayers of St. John Chrysostom)
Psalom (version for string orchestra)
Trisagion
Rob Cowan in Gramophone magazine: "Like most of Pärt’s best works, Litany, Psalom and Trisagion leave an aural aftertaste that resonates far beyond the allotted time-span of a single well-filled CD, indeed of 20." ©Gramophone Magazine. Essential.

ECM 1795 Arvo Pärt: Orient  Occident [2002 - promotional CD]
Swedish Radio Orchestra & Choir/Tõnu Kaljuste
Ein Wallfahrtslied
Orient & Occident
Como cierva sedienta
Promotional CD for ECM 1795. For completists only.
 

ECM 1795 Arvo Pärt: Orient  Occident [2002]
Swedish Radio Orchestra & Choir/Tõnu Kaljuste
Ein Wallfahrtslied
Orient & Occident
Como cierva sedienta
First CD from Kaljuste's association with the Swedish Radio Choir. 3 première recordings of the very highest quality, both musically and technically.
"...exceptional and musically important release." Rob Cowan © Gramophone Magazine. Essential.

Eesti Raadio EMK001-003 Läbilõige Eesti Koorimuusikast [2002]
Estonian Philharmonic Choir/Tõnu Kaljuste
Magnificat
"Live" Eesti Raadio recording of the Magnificat, the only Pärt piece on this 3-CD "Review of Estonian Choral Music". An excellent overview of choral music in Estonia, but difficult to find. Not worth searching for if you're after a recording of the Magnificat, but whole-heartedly recommended if you want to know more about Estonian choral music.

F-Seitse OÜ (no catalogue number) Arvo Pärt: 24 Preludes for A Fugue [2002 - PAL format VHS video]
(86 minute documentary film)
In individual chapters (preludes) the film draws a fascinating portrait of Pärt. He is seen visiting his homeland for the first time in 13 years, walking with his wife, at rehearsals and performances in Germany, Italy and Estonia. Pärt reminisces about his life and talks about his work, explains how he discovered the “tintinnabuli style” and we hear excerpts from various pieces for string orchestra, voice and organ, including Orient & Occident, Cecilia, vergine romana , Como anhela la cierva and Für Alina. Absolutely essential viewing, but to date not available outside Estonia. 

Harmonia Mundi HMU 907311 Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir: Baltic Voices 1 [2002]
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir/Paul Hillier
...which was the son of...
Excellent programme of music from the Baltic states and beyond, Hillier's first CD in charge of the EPCC. Recommended.

Hitivabrik HFCD035 Laste Sünnipäev [2002]
ER mudilasansambel (Estonian Radio Toddler’s Ensemble)/Uno Loop, guitar
Viis Laulu Lastele, op.6 (5 Children's Songs) excerpt - no.1, Mina olen juba suur
The only children's song by Pärt commercially available, this recording is from the archives of Eesti Raadio and likely dates from the 1960s. Of interest to the enthusiast certainly, but be aware that the song is only 46 seconds long! Of interest only to the enthusiast.

HMV Classics 572 315 2 Arvo Pärt: Tabula Rasa [1997]
Vasari Singers/Tasmin Little/Martin Roscoe/Bournemouth Sinfonietta/Richard Studt
The Beatitudes
Cantus In Memoriam Benjamin Britten (revised version)
Festina Lente
Fratres (version for violin and piano)
Spiegel Im Spiegel (version for violin and piano)
Summa (version for SATB choir)
Summa (version for string orchestra)
Tabula Rasa
Basically a re-release of the EMI Eminence CD of 1994 but now at super-budget price and with two additional recordings taken from another EMI release. The original was highly recommended, so is this. Available only through HMV stores. Highly recommended.

Hyperion CDA67375 Arvo Pärt: Triodion [2003]
Dopo la vittoria
I am the true vine
Littlemore Tractus
My heart's in the Highlands
Nunc dimittis
Salve Regina
Triodion
...which was the Son of...
Five (not six as it says on the cover) première recordings on this excellent CD. Once again, the close collaboration of the composer in the rehearsals and recording proves its worth. These are first class performances in every way. Essential.

Hyperion SACDA67375 Arvo Pärt: Triodion [2004]
Dopo la vittoria
I am the true vine
Littlemore Tractus
My heart's in the Highlands
Nunc dimittis
Salve Regina
Triodion
...which was the Son of...
Super Audio CD release of the above disc. Essential.

Koch International Classics 3-7177-2H1 Oregon Repertory Singers: Masses by Pärt and Harrison [1993]
Oregon Repertory Singers/Gilbert Seeley
Berliner Messe (version for chorus and organ)

Lico Ilgi Spéléjosa D 00516/17 (no disc title) [1959 - Estonian EP]
Bruno Lukk
Partita
The very earliest commercial recording of Pärt's music. Although the only copy of the record I have seen is on this Latvian label, it comes from the Melodiya stable. Now of museum status. Recommended.

Melodiya D 5480/81 no disc title [1959 - Estonian EP]
Bruno Lukk
Sonatina, op1. no.1
Only the second commercial recording of Pärt's music. Pärt studied under Lukk in Tallinn in the late 1950s and the Sonatina is dedicated to him. The disc is virtually impossible to find. Recommended

Melodiya D 15719/20 no disc title [1965 - Estonian EP]
Childrens Choir of the Institute of Artistic Education/USSR RSO/V. Jessipov
Meie aed (Our Garden)
Second and superior of the two Melodiya recordings made of Meie aed. The choir consistently sings better and Jessipov's conducting is less hurried. Again, the disc is virtually impossible to find. Recommended.

Melodiya D 018049/50 no disc title [1966 - Estonian LP]
Estonian Radio Symphony Orchestra/Neeme Järvi
Perpetuum Mobile, op.10
Symphony no.1 (Polyphonic)
Première recordings from top interpreters on this difficult to find LP. The tracks re-appeared on a 1969 release (see below) which I have seen copies of occasionally. Recommended.

N-Gram 0630 10722 2 William Orbit & The Electric Chamber: Pieces In A Modern Style [1995 - nla]
William Orbit
Cantus In Memoriam Benjamin Britten (version for electronics, arr. William Orbit/Damian leGassick)
Fratres (version for electronics, arr. William Orbit)
Deleted from the catalogue within days of its release because of copyright issues and now virtually impossible to find, the CD was re-released several years later but without the two Pärt pieces. The arrangements are interesting, Fratres being much in the spirit of the original, Cantus radically altered, but it can only be recommended to enthusiastic collectors and lovers of contemporary electronic popular music. Recommended.

no label or number Arvo Pärdi Sünnipäevaorkestri Kontsert [2000 - limited Estonian CD-R release]
Arvo Pärdi Sünnipäevorkester/Everett Lee
Cantus In Memory of Benjamin Britten (revised version)
Fratres (version for string orchestra and percussion)
Summa (version for string orchestra)
Recording of a concert held to celebrate the 65th birthday of Pärt in the town of his birth, Paide. The orchestra was assembled specially for the event. Neither performances or recording quality are good enough to recommend this CD, but it's virtually unobtainable anyway.

Nonesuch 979 504 2 Kronos Quartet: 25 Years [1998]
Kronos Quartet/Ellen Hargin/Suzanne Elder/Neal Rogers/Paul Hillier
Fratres (version for string quartet, arr. Thomas Höfer)
Missa Syllabica (original version, for 4 voices and string quartet)
Psalom (version for string quartet)
Summa (version for string quartet)
The recordings of Fratres and Psalom are taken from previous Kronos releases but, to date, those of Summa and Missa Syllabica are only available as part of this 10 CD set. As a further annoyance, the recording of Missa Syllabica is the only one available in this, the original arrangement. Essential to the Pärt completist and also a very worthwhile overview of Kronos. Qualified recommendation.

Omelette Pan CD002 Phillip Carout: Suites for Dance, Works for Cello and Piano [2003]
Christian Matjias
Für Alina
www.amazon.com

Organum OGM230094 Eduard & Johannes Kutrowatz, 2 pianos  [2003]
Eduard & Johannes Kutrowatz: 2 pianos
Hymn To A Great City (revised version)
Only recording available of Hymn to a Great City. The duo worked closely with Pärt on this revised version of a work he had earlier withdrawn. Recommended.

PMP CD001 Benedikta Bonitz: Il flauto dolce espressivo [2002]
Benedikta Bonitz/Bernward Mnich/Sabine Bierhaus/Stefan Polzer
Arbos (version for 7 recorders and 3 triangles)
Pari Intervallo (version for 4 recorders)
A recording première for Arbos in this arrangement which sounds very different to the version for brass ensemble (see ECM 1325). Both Pärt pieces are excellently performed on this well presented CD. Recommended. www.platin-media-productions.de/

Quartz QTZ2001 Dave Lee: Under The Influence [2004]
Dave Lee & Andy Lynwood
Spiegel im Spiegel (version for horn and piano, transposed and arr. Dave Lee)
Lee and Lynwood obviously understand how Spiegel... should be played, but while rythmic consistency is important in the piano part, here it sounds a touch mechanical. Worth a listen but, ultimately, not recommended.

See-Igel ISBN 3-935261-03-9 Klassik-Hörbücher für Kinder - Wunder Mit Huhn [2003]
Friedemann Dähn & Thomas Wellen
Spiegel im Spiegel version for cello and piano
This CD combines classical music with a children's story (in German) aimed at the 6+ age-group. The performance of Spiegel im spiegel is well-judged, particularly Wellen's piano playing. Recommended.

Virgin Classics 545 212 2 Arvo Pärt, Eduard Tubin & Erkki-Sven Tüür: Searching for roots [1997]
Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra/Paavo Järvi
Nekrolog, Op.5
Symphony no.1 (Polyphonic)
Supervised by the composer and continuing the Järvi family's involvement in Pärt's music, this is a fine performance of Nekrolog, the first mature work of Pärt's oeuvre. Recommended.

Virgin Classics 545 338 2 Arvo Pärt: Sanctuary [1998]
Vasari Singers/Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir/Tõnu Kaljuste/Bournemouth Sinfonietta/
Richard Studt/London Philharmonic/Frans Welser-Möst/King's College Choir/Stephen Cleobury
The Beatitudes
Cantus In Memoriam Benjamin Britten (revised version)
De Profundis Clamavi, Psalm 129 (version for male voice choir, organ and percussion)
Festina Lente
Fratres (version for string orchestra and percussion)
Magnificat
Summa (version for SATB choir)
Tabula Rasa (excerpt - Silentium)
Sloppy, exploitative, full-price compilation of recordings from earlier EMI and Virgin releases, many of which were originally mid or budget priced. Omitting half of Tabula rasa is nothing less than bizarre. Sleeve notes should be far more comprehensive and authoritative and the UK version of the sleeve gives the wrong year for Pärt's date of birth. AVOID! (I believe the CD is now available at budget price (January 2005), but I STILL advise that you look for other releases with similar programmes).

Virgin Classics 545 501 2 Arvo Pärt: Summa [2002]
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra/Paavo Järvi
Cantus in memory of Benjamin Britten (revised version)
Festina Lente
Fratres (version for string orchestra and percussion)
Silouans Song
Summa (version for string orchestra)
Symphony 3
Trisagion
Useful new recordings of the rarely heard Silouans Song and Trisagion partnered by some of the better known compositions for string orchestra. This is the first time the ENSO has recorded Pärt's music since their Estonian Melodiya recordings of the 1960s. Excellent performances and recording. Highly recommended.

Virgin Classics 545 630 2 Arvo Pärt: Pro et contra [2004]
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra/Paavo Järvi/Truls Mørk/Ellerhein Girls' Choir/Tiia-Ester Loitme
Collage on B.A.C.H.
Meie aed (our Garden)
Perpetuum mobile
Pro et contra, cello concerto
Symphony 1
Symphony 2
All useful additions to the Pärt catalogue. This is the first recording of "Meie aed" since the mid-1960s, and anyone familiar with those early Melodiya discs may find the sophisticated recording on this CD something of a surprise. Highly recommended.

Winter & Winter 910 055 2 Lorenzo Ghielmi: Tintinnabulum  [2001]
Lorenzo Ghielmi
Annum per Annum
Mein Weg hat Gipfel und Wellentäler (version for organ)
Pari Intervallo (version for organ)
Trivium
Another recording of the complete organ works, but difficult to recommend when in competition with Christopher Bowers-Broadbent (on ECM) and Kevin Bowyers (on Nimbus).