Mommy's Kiss

In the 1960s, Pärt was a musical designer at the Estonian State Puppet Theatre, writing music for altogether seven productions. The piano piece Mommy’s Kiss (initially titled In Front of the Curtains) comes from a well-known Elar Kuus' children’s play of the same name (premiered in 1968), which tells the story of a splendid bunny family. Mommy’s kiss is a powerful secret weapon for the bunny children – it makes them braver and protects them from all kinds of dangers. Arvo Pärt has said that this symbol contains a deeper meaning: “When a child leaves home in the morning, he or she always gets a mother’s kiss or a hug for the road. But actually, it is for their entire life – like a mother’s blessing.”

Mommy’s Kiss for piano is dedicated to Arvo Pär…

In the 1960s, Pärt was a musical designer at the Estonian State Puppet Theatre, writing music for altogether seven productions. The piano piece Mommy’s Kiss (initially titled In Front of the Curtains) comes from a well-known Elar Kuus' children’s play of the same name (premiered in 1968), which tells the story of a splendid bunny family. Mommy’s kiss is a powerful secret weapon for the bunny children – it makes them braver and protects them from all kinds of dangers. Arvo Pärt has said that this symbol contains a deeper meaning: “When a child leaves home in the morning, he or she always gets a mother’s kiss or a hug for the road. But actually, it is for their entire life – like a mother’s blessing.”

Mommy’s Kiss for piano is dedicated to Arvo Pärt’s mother.