One Note Is Enough

The Daily Haiku for May 2. One note is enough.

One note is enough
when it's beautifully played
breaking the silence.

Arvo Pärt is my favorite composer of all times. He was the creator of "Sacred minimalism" and the "tintinnabuli" style of composition. He famously said "I have discovered it is enough when a single note is beautifully played. This one note, or a moment of silence, comforts me.".

In one of my trips to Estonia, I went to the studio-house where he lives and works. I carried one of the few physical copies of my music ever released, a hand-made edition of "9 days of winter".

I was hoping I could give the album personally to him and thank him for his music and for being an inspiration in my own music and my life. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to approach him or talk to him. I had to hand out the album to his secretary, and I never knew if she gave it to him. I don't even know if he listened to it.

That was a bit of a bittersweet experience. Being so close to someone you admire, an inspiration for you, and not being able to say a humble "thank you".

I did all I could, so I am happy at least I tried, but thinking about it still makes me feel bad. Sometimes we do all we can but can't still get what we want, and that's ok, as long as you tried.