Part, A.: The Lost Paradise – Documentary

   in Opera Now (Nov, 2015)
ARVO PART AT 80

Estonian composer Arvo Part is celebrated in two beautifully filmed DVDs to celebrate his 80th birthday The Lost Paradise is a documentary about him, his work and style; Adam’s Passion is a recording of four of those works, staged by Robert Wilson. Part is notoriously reclusive, so the opportunity to film him wasn’t to be missed, and we watch him both at work and in his private space (though hardly at play – I doubt that occurs to him).

Despite director Gunter Attein’s best efforts, Part proves a tricky person to pin down – with the gaunt expression of an El Greco saint, …