„Ukuaru valss“ on Eesti kuulajaskonna jaoks kindlasti üks Arvo Pärdi tuntumaid teoseid. See pärineb Leida Laiuse mängufilmist „Ukuaru“, millele Pärt 1973. aastal muusika kirjutas. Märgiliseks kujunenud linateoses astuvad üles mitmed legendaarsed Eesti näitlejad, peaosades Elle Kull (Minna) ja Lembit Ulfsak (Aksel). Filmi sündmused keskenduvad Minna ja Aksli armastusloole, mida varjutavad raske olme ja inimlikud nõrkused, aga ka teise maailmasõja puhkemine. Valss kõlab filmis Aksli lõõtsapalana ning on igas uues stseenis veidi teisenenud, markeerides peategelaste hingeseisundeid ja suhet ümbritsevasse. Esmapilgul vaid lihtne rahvalik pillilugu kasvab linaloo kulgedes tugeva tähendusväljaga muusikaliseks sümboliks, kehastades filmi kõige olulisemaid teemasid – armastust, lootust, kodutunnet ja elutahet.
Meeldejääv lõõtsapala sai rahva seas kiirelt tuntuks ning levis suulise pärimusena paljude Eesti lõõtspillimängijate ja rahvapilliansamblite repertuaaris. Arvo Pärdi ametlikku loomingunimekirja jõudis „Ukuaru valss“ alles 2010. aastal, seatuna klaverile. 2016. aastal lisandus ka akordioniversioon (Tauno Aintsi seades).
Ukuaru Waltz is undoubtedly one of the most well-known and beloved piece by Estonian listeners among Arvo Pärt’s works. The waltz found its first use in Leida Laius’ feature film Ukuaru, which has become an important part of Estonian film history and for which Arvo Pärt wrote the score in 1973. The film featured several legendary Estonian actors, with Elle Kull (Minna) and Lembit Ulfsak (Aksel) in the leading roles. Whilst the plot revolves around the love story between Minna and Aksel, it is overshadowed by everyday drudgery and human weaknesses, as well as the outbreak of World War II. Played on melodeon by Aksel during key scenes in the film, the waltz develops to reflect the emotional state of the main characters and their relationship to their surroundings. Over the course of the film, the seemingly simple folksy tune grows into a musical symbol of major significance, embodying the most important themes of the film: love, hope, a sense of home and the will to live.
The memorable melodeon piece soon became widely known and was passed on by oral tradition. It
started to appear in the repertoire of many Estonian melodeon players as well as folk instrument ensembles. Arvo Pärt listed Ukuaru Waltz in his official list of works only in 2010, having arranged it for piano a year earlier. The version for accordion dates from 2016 (arranged by Tauno Aints).