The Arvo Pärt Centre congratulates the outstanding organist and composer Christopher Bowers-Broadbent, who recently celebrated his 70th birthday. Being a longstanding collaborator with Arvo Pärt, Christopher Bowers-Broadbent recorded all of Arvo Pärt’s works with organ. Amongst these recordings is “My Heart’s in the Highlands” with David James as countertenor, made in year 2000, which the composer considers as one the most significant recordings of this piece. This recording is used in the soundtrack of the Dorian Supin’s film “24 Preludes for a Fugue”.
Christopher Bowers-Broadbent is also active as a composer alongside his involvements as an organist. His works include several pieces for choir and organ as well as three chamber operas.
Currently Christopher Bowers-Broadbent is also consulting the Arvo Pärt Centre. In the future building of the Centre we are hoping to create suitable conditions for the possibility to have an organ in the auditorium, with the experience and advice of Christopher Bowers-Broadbent being much appreciated in the planning process at this point in time.
The photo was taken on Christopher Bowers-Broadbent’s 70th birthday by the Gray’s Inn chapel in London on 8 January 2015. At the very same place the rehearsals of “My Heart’s In The Highlands” took place in March 2000, which were followed by the mentioned recording carried out by Michael Pärt. This reunion builds an emotional connection on the time bridge of friendship and collaboration between Christopher Bowers-Broadbent and the Pärt family.