The iconic blue, grey and white CD cover has now become a book cover, which, given the original album’s significance, is hardly surprising. Back in 1984 Tabula rasa (blank slate) helped re-educate our ears and throw open the doors of our musical sensibilities to spatial domains that had otherwise been closed to us. Pärt’s near-minimalist “tintinnabulation” (a bell-like style based on a simple triad), his impeccable ear, sense of musical timing and deep spiritual engagement helped alter the way we listened in the late 20th century, cleansed us – or some of us – of the incessant need for musical “busyness”. Far from wearing off, the novelty of Pärt’s austerely meditative style has since become an essential component of our musical lives in the 21st century.