Symphony Dedicated to Khodorkovsky
On May 10, 2009, Estonian composer Arvo Pärt dedicated the New York debut of his Symphony No. 4 ("Los Angeles") to Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Part of the Wordless Music Series, Symphony No. 4 is the first symphony Pärt has written in more than 37 years. Symphony No. 4 premiered in Los Angeles, California, on January 10, 2009.
Pärt said that he would like to help prisoners like Khodorkovsky who have no rights, "I would like to send them a message of spiritual peace and to remain brave, despite all the depressing circumstances surrounding their imprisonment." Pärt, who had long struggled with Russian officials, moved with his family to Vienna, Austria, in 1980 and now lives in Berlin, Germany.
See a photo gallery from the concert >>
Read a review in the New York Times >>
Read about the January concert in Los Angeles >>