NF 2014

NARGENFESTIVAL OPENING CONCERT

Programme

Ludwig van Beethoven – Meeresstille und glückliche Fahrt (Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage) op. 112
Ralph Vaughan Williams – Flos Campi (Flower of the fields)
Gustav Mahler – Symphony nr 4 in G major

Malin Hartelius (soprano, Sweden)
Andres Kaljuste (viola)
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
conductor Tõnu Kaljuste

Nargenfestival starts its ninth season with events here and there on the coasts of the Finnish Gulf with a musical sea voyage – the opening piece of the concert is one of most expressive works of Ludwig van Beethoven – the cantata based on Goethe's poem, performed by Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Tõnu Kaljuste.

The 6-movement suite for solo viola, choir and orchestra 'Flos Campi' ('Flower of the fields') by an English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams inspired by the Song of Solomon's poetic love lyrics will be presented with Andres Kaljuste as the soloist.

Gustav Mahler's Symphony nr 4 composed in summer with its bright sound realm will be played by Estonian National Symphony Orchestra with the solo of the Swedish soprano Malin Hartelius, mostly known as Mozart's interpreter, who has sung on Europe's most important opera and concert stages with the best orchestras and conductors. As the soloist of Mahler's symphonies she has appeared this season in Milan with Riccardo Chailly and in Vienna's Musikverein with Andrés Orozco-Estrada as conductors.

Tõnu Kaljuste: "The opening concert will take us from the calm sea to the happy landing (Beethoven) and via the magic field flower (Williams) to the recognition of that: „… we enjoy heavenly pleasures and therefore avoid earthly ones …“ (Mahler). While compiling the concert's programme I thought with deep respect about maestro Claudio Abbado who passed away this year. The choir, soloists and I have memories of him that will not fade away."

CYRILLUS KREEK'S DAYS: MOURNING DAY'S CONCERT

Cyrillus Kreek – Requiem
Tõnu Kõrvits – By the rivers of Babylon (premiere)

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
conductor Tõnu Kaljuste

Cyrillus Kreek who was active in various spheres of Estonia's musical life for about half a century is one of the most influential creators of the national music language. Though Kreek's musical heritage is quite voluminous, from the very premiere his name became at once associated with the Requiem created in 1927, which was pioneering in its genre in Estonian music. Writing of the piece took him two years and the composer himself considered the piece to be the work of his life. Tõnu Kõrvits's attitude to Kreek's creative works has always been that of great respect. He sometimes draws the themes for his pieces from the same source as Cyrillus Kreek – the treasure chest of spiritual folk melodies. The same case is with 'By the rivers of Babylon' written for this year's Nargenfestival.

Tõnu Kaljuste: "When we started Cyrillus Kreek's Days in 2007 the main work was his Requiem in C minor. The same concert was the premiere of Tõnu Kõrvits's “Kreegi vihik“ ('Kreek's Notebook'), which is considerably known in the world by today. In addition to the Requiem on this year's Mourning Day the audience will hear Tõnu Kõrvits's new piece 'By the rivers of Babylon'. His work is based on the same psalm No. 137 as was Cyrillus Kreek's piece."

Cyrillus Kreek's Days will continue on the 15th of June with Kadri Voorand Trio's concert in Haapsalu Cathedral.

CYRILLUS KREEK'S DAYS: KADRI VOORAND TRIO

HEART, WHAT IS YOUR WORRY

Arrangements of Kreek's music

KADRI VOORAND TRIO:
Kadri Voorand (vocal, kalimba, melodica and chime)
Virgo Sillamaa (electric and acoustic guitar)
Mihkel Mälgand (double bass)

Kadri Voorand Trio present their vision of Cyrillus Kreek's music. With the composer's tunes and harmonies the audience is taken on a journey to the world of melodious sounds with a bit of space left for improvisation. Kadri Voorand is appreciated as one of Estonia's most original young jazz singers and composers. Her trio has been very popular among Estonian and other audiences. On air radio performances in Estonia and all over Europe as well as appearances in Canada, USA, Switzerland, Denmark and Italy have received only the warmest welcome. Voorand Trio's album „Kosmogooniline etüüd“ ('Cosmogonical etude') with Virgo Sillamaa (guitars) and Mihkel Mälgand (double bass) has reached the TOP 10 of European jazz magazines.

Tõnu Kaljuste: "On June 15 we will hear a new approach to Kreek's songs. Kadri Voorand is to my mind one of the most admirable young Estonian musicians of the late years. I advise to follow her musical work to all who respect original talents. Kadri agreed to deal with Kreek's creative works. As Cyrillus Kreek liked to 'set up' the music so Kadri Voorand Trio sets up Kreek's music the way never heard of before!"

NAISSAAR ISLAND'S 1ST SONG FESTIVAL: THE FESTIVAL'S EVE WITH THE NIGHT UNIVERSITY AND NIGHT CONCERT

What, a Song Festival on Naissaar island?
Yes, Naissaar island's first Song Festival 'Boat touch' will take place one week before the major Song Festival 'Touched by time. The time to touch' in Tallinn .

Events of the Naissaar Song Festival's eve:

Cleaning of the coastal area with the Song Festival guests in Naissaar's Lõunaküla
Night University discussion in Omar's barn
Night concert in Naissaar church

The topic of the Night's University's discussion is 'How to inhabit the world'. The night concert in Naissaar church is Veljo Tormis's piece 'Church bell chime in my village' (performed by mixed choir Huik, conductor Kaspar Mänd) in which Fernando Pessoa says : “… from my village I see as much of the universe as can be seen from the earth … and so my village is as large as any town …”

You are welcome to participate in the activities of Naissaar's first Song Festival's eve on the 27th of June independently (the festival does not provide the transport)

A more exact programme is being compiled!

The first Song Festival on Naissaar island is part of the Gulf of Finland Year Programme.

NAISSAAR ISLAND'S FIRST SONG FESTIVAL "BOAT TOUCH"

What, a Song Festival on Naissaar island? Yes, Naissaar island's first Song Festival 'Boat touch' will take place one week before the major Song Festival 'Touched by time. The time to touch' in Tallinn.

Performers – numerous Tallinn choirs, singers from Kihnu and Prangli islands:
Mixed choir Huik, conductors Kaspar Mänd and Valter Soosalu
Collegium Musicale, conductor Endrik Üksvärav
Estonian Public Broadcasting Mixed Choir, conductor Hirvo Surva
Female Chamber Choir 'Sireen', conductors Ülle Tuisk and Tiiu Sinupalu
Male singers from Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Singers from Kihnu and Prangli islands, conductors Maria Michelson and Tiinamai Keskpaik

Song Festival director Tõnu Kaljuste

28 June events:

4 p.m. Tallinn-Naissaar (song festival's ferry Monica leaves from Seaplane harbour)
5.10 p.m. procession and walk in nature from the harbour to Omar's barn
Song Festival concert Village party with Marko Matvere and Väikeste Lõõtspillide Ühing (Union of small accordeons)
11.30 p.m. Naissaar-Tallinn (ferry arrives in Tallinn at about 00.40 a.m.)

The first part of the Naissaar's Song Festival concert takes place in the barn where every choir gives their performance. For the second part we are going to Hellerella public garden for the joint singing.
Opening of the portrait exhibition 'Bernhard Schmidt in memoriam' and the united exhibition of Estonian museums 'Escaping by boat 70 years ago'.

Special price for the song festival goer 25 euros (transport Tallinn-Naissaar-Tallinn + transport on the island + song festival + village party)

A more exact programme is being compiled!

The first Song Festival on Naissaar island is part of the Year of the Finnish Gulf Programme.
The soup of the Naissaar island's first Song Festival is Salvest's pea soup with smoked meat.

Renate Valme: PUNG

In what sense?
In pung's sense

Idea and director: Renate Valme
Performers: Liisa Tetsmann, Age Linkmann, Madis Mäeorg, Taavi Rei, Imre Õunapu, Hannes-Martin Eenmaa

Premiere 14 November 2012 Tallinn
Co-production: STÜ (Independent Dance Union) and Lootsi Koda Foundation

“In Estonian “pung” means “bud”, but it is also the genitive case of “punk” – so it is definitely a mixture of buds and punk, plus something more. But no worries, it will all clear up during the performance. Or at least most of it. And, since in English “pung” is a synonym for “sleigh”, we kindly ask you to sit on the sleigh and ride into “pungworld”.”

The freelance choreographer and director Renate Valme is an original performance artist who has presented her productions at numerous theatre and dance festivals in Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and the Baltic countries. She has been twice awarded the Philip Morris Eesti independent dance prize as the Year's Success and Active Person. She founded her dance troup Kompanii Nii in 2012, whose main expression form is physical theatre. Renate Valme defines this as the theatre with the greater than usual emphasis on physical self-expression, the solution however being strongly in the theatre key. 'Pung' is Kompanii Nii's first production which was nominated for the best dance production of Estonian Theatre Prize.

In with Renate Valme's creative style the verbal presentation of the content is rather laconic as she considers it important that the production would speak for itself – as part of the audience she also prefers the experience of the 'blank slate'. 'The most appropriate would be to apply my favourite genre definition of 'tragicomedy' – just like the life is tragicomic in its esssence.' Renate's productions are exactly that – a mixture of outrageous humour, ingeniuos images and poetry.

As the film maker Andres Maimik says about the production 'Pung': 'Renate can really create images and shift phenomena, modify bodies and spray witticisms so that one time it is a complete aha and another time it is an absolute oho'

Renate Valme: PUNG

In what sense?
In pung's sense

Idea and director: Renate Valme
Performers: Liisa Tetsmann, Age Linkmann, Madis Mäeorg, Taavi Rei, Imre Õunapu, Hannes-Martin Eenmaa

Premiere 14 November 2012 Tallinn
Co-production: STÜ (Independent Dance Union) and Lootsi Koda Foundation

“In Estonian “pung” means “bud”, but it is also the genitive case of “punk” – so it is definitely a mixture of buds and punk, plus something more. But no worries, it will all clear up during the performance. Or at least most of it. And, since in English “pung” is a synonym for “sleigh”, we kindly ask you to sit on the sleigh and ride into “pungworld”.”

The freelance choreographer and director Renate Valme is an original performance artist who has presented her productions at numerous theatre and dance festivals in Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and the Baltic countries. She has been twice awarded the Philip Morris Eesti independent dance prize as the Year's Success and Active Person. She founded her dance troup Kompanii Nii in 2012, whose main expression form is physical theatre. Renate Valme defines this as the theatre with the greater than usual emphasis on physical self-expression, the solution however being strongly in the theatre key. 'Pung' is Kompanii Nii's first production which was nominated for the best dance production of Estonian Theatre Prize.

In with Renate Valme's creative style the verbal presentation of the content is rather laconic as she considers it important that the production would speak for itself – as part of the audience she also prefers the experience of the 'blank slate'. 'The most appropriate would be to apply my favourite genre definition of 'tragicomedy' – just like the life is tragicomic in its esssence.' Renate's productions are exactly that – a mixture of outrageous humour, ingeniuos images and poetry.

As the film maker Andres Maimik says about the production 'Pung': 'Renate can really create images and shift phenomena, modify bodies and spray witticisms so that one time it is a complete aha and another time it is an absolute oho'

Renate Valme: PUNG

In what sense?
In pung's sense

Idea and director: Renate Valme
Performers: Liisa Tetsmann, Age Linkmann, Madis Mäeorg, Taavi Rei, Imre Õunapu, Hannes-Martin Eenmaa

Premiere 14 November 2012 Tallinn
Co-production: STÜ (Independent Dance Union) and Lootsi Koda Foundation

“In Estonian “pung” means “bud”, but it is also the genitive case of “punk” – so it is definitely a mixture of buds and punk, plus something more. But no worries, it will all clear up during the performance. Or at least most of it. And, since in English “pung” is a synonym for “sleigh”, we kindly ask you to sit on the sleigh and ride into “pungworld”.”

The freelance choreographer and director Renate Valme is an original performance artist who has presented her productions at numerous theatre and dance festivals in Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and the Baltic countries. She has been twice awarded the Philip Morris Eesti independent dance prize as the Year's Success and Active Person. She founded her dance troup Kompanii Nii in 2012, whose main expression form is physical theatre. Renate Valme defines this as the theatre with the greater than usual emphasis on physical self-expression, the solution however being strongly in the theatre key. 'Pung' is Kompanii Nii's first production which was nominated for the best dance production of Estonian Theatre Prize.

In with Renate Valme's creative style the verbal presentation of the content is rather laconic as she considers it important that the production would speak for itself – as part of the audience she also prefers the experience of the 'blank slate'. 'The most appropriate would be to apply my favourite genre definition of 'tragicomedy' – just like the life is tragicomic in its esssence.' Renate's productions are exactly that – a mixture of outrageous humour, ingeniuos images and poetry.

As the film maker Andres Maimik says about the production 'Pung': 'Renate can really create images and shift phenomena, modify bodies and spray witticisms so that one time it is a complete aha and another time it is an absolute oho'

Renate Valme: PUNG

In what sense?
In pung's sense

Idea and director: Renate Valme
Performers: Liisa Tetsmann, Age Linkmann, Madis Mäeorg, Taavi Rei, Imre Õunapu, Hannes-Martin Eenmaa

Premiere 14 November 2012 Tallinn
Co-production: STÜ (Independent Dance Union) and Lootsi Koda Foundation

“In Estonian “pung” means “bud”, but it is also the genitive case of “punk” – so it is definitely a mixture of buds and punk, plus something more. But no worries, it will all clear up during the performance. Or at least most of it. And, since in English “pung” is a synonym for “sleigh”, we kindly ask you to sit on the sleigh and ride into “pungworld”.”

The freelance choreographer and director Renate Valme is an original performance artist who has presented her productions at numerous theatre and dance festivals in Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and the Baltic countries. She has been twice awarded the Philip Morris Eesti independent dance prize as the Year's Success and Active Person. She founded her dance troup Kompanii Nii in 2012, whose main expression form is physical theatre. Renate Valme defines this as the theatre with the greater than usual emphasis on physical self-expression, the solution however being strongly in the theatre key. 'Pung' is Kompanii Nii's first production which was nominated for the best dance production of Estonian Theatre Prize.

In with Renate Valme's creative style the verbal presentation of the content is rather laconic as she considers it important that the production would speak for itself – as part of the audience she also prefers the experience of the 'blank slate'. 'The most appropriate would be to apply my favourite genre definition of 'tragicomedy' – just like the life is tragicomic in its esssence.' Renate's productions are exactly that – a mixture of outrageous humour, ingeniuos images and poetry.

As the film maker Andres Maimik says about the production 'Pung': 'Renate can really create images and shift phenomena, modify bodies and spray witticisms so that one time it is a complete aha and another time it is an absolute oho'

Renate Valme: PUNG

In what sense?
In pung's sense

Idea and director: Renate Valme
Performers: Liisa Tetsmann, Age Linkmann, Madis Mäeorg, Taavi Rei, Imre Õunapu, Hannes-Martin Eenmaa

Premiere 14 November 2012 Tallinn
Co-production: STÜ (Independent Dance Union) and Lootsi Koda Foundation

“In Estonian “pung” means “bud”, but it is also the genitive case of “punk” – so it is definitely a mixture of buds and punk, plus something more. But no worries, it will all clear up during the performance. Or at least most of it. And, since in English “pung” is a synonym for “sleigh”, we kindly ask you to sit on the sleigh and ride into “pungworld”.”

The freelance choreographer and director Renate Valme is an original performance artist who has presented her productions at numerous theatre and dance festivals in Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and the Baltic countries. She has been twice awarded the Philip Morris Eesti independent dance prize as the Year's Success and Active Person. She founded her dance troup Kompanii Nii in 2012, whose main expression form is physical theatre. Renate Valme defines this as the theatre with the greater than usual emphasis on physical self-expression, the solution however being strongly in the theatre key. 'Pung' is Kompanii Nii's first production which was nominated for the best dance production of Estonian Theatre Prize.

In with Renate Valme's creative style the verbal presentation of the content is rather laconic as she considers it important that the production would speak for itself – as part of the audience she also prefers the experience of the 'blank slate'. 'The most appropriate would be to apply my favourite genre definition of 'tragicomedy' – just like the life is tragicomic in its esssence.' Renate's productions are exactly that – a mixture of outrageous humour, ingeniuos images and poetry.

As the film maker Andres Maimik says about the production 'Pung': 'Renate can really create images and shift phenomena, modify bodies and spray witticisms so that one time it is a complete aha and another time it is an absolute oho'

SINGER VINGER - THE OMAR'S BARN 119TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

One of the main concert venues of Nargenfestival – Omar's barn on Naissaar island – was erected in 2005 on Tõnu Kaljuste's initiative in the farm place in Lõunaküla that belonged to the most renowned Naissaar's inhabitant of all times, inventor Bernhard Schmidt (1879–1935). The barn, which gets 119 years of age this year, was brought from Kastna in Pärnu county and belonged to Pärnu Museum's director Omar Volmer, in whose hounour it has been named. On the dignified birthday of his father's barn Hardi Volmer has a mighty music party with his legendary band Singer Vinger at the barn in Hellerella garden, founded a year ago.

Tõnu Kaljuste: 'When Hardi Volmer saw my struggles on Naissaar island 10 years ago, he offered to me his father's barn in Tõstamaa. He said:' You can take it away, otherwise it will be burnt to ashes.' Hardi has never performed on Naissaar, that's why I've invited him to celebrate his father's barn's 119th anniversary. He will bring along his band Singer Vinger to rock with the audience. As all Volmers are also sea-farers, there will be a big singer-vinger style regatta to Naissaar island.'

Renate Valme: PUNG

In what sense?
In pung's sense

Idea and director: Renate Valme
Performers: Liisa Tetsmann, Age Linkmann, Madis Mäeorg, Taavi Rei, Imre Õunapu, Hannes-Martin Eenmaa

Premiere 14 November 2012 Tallinn
Co-production: STÜ (Independent Dance Union) and Lootsi Koda Foundation

“In Estonian “pung” means “bud”, but it is also the genitive case of “punk” – so it is definitely a mixture of buds and punk, plus something more. But no worries, it will all clear up during the performance. Or at least most of it. And, since in English “pung” is a synonym for “sleigh”, we kindly ask you to sit on the sleigh and ride into “pungworld”.”

The freelance choreographer and director Renate Valme is an original performance artist who has presented her productions at numerous theatre and dance festivals in Europe, Scandinavia, Asia and the Baltic countries. She has been twice awarded the Philip Morris Eesti independent dance prize as the Year's Success and Active Person. She founded her dance troup Kompanii Nii in 2012, whose main expression form is physical theatre. Renate Valme defines this as the theatre with the greater than usual emphasis on physical self-expression, the solution however being strongly in the theatre key. 'Pung' is Kompanii Nii's first production which was nominated for the best dance production of Estonian Theatre Prize.

In with Renate Valme's creative style the verbal presentation of the content is rather laconic as she considers it important that the production would speak for itself – as part of the audience she also prefers the experience of the 'blank slate'. 'The most appropriate would be to apply my favourite genre definition of 'tragicomedy' – just like the life is tragicomic in its esssence.' Renate's productions are exactly that – a mixture of outrageous humour, ingeniuos images and poetry.

As the film maker Andres Maimik says about the production 'Pung': 'Renate can really create images and shift phenomena, modify bodies and spray witticisms so that one time it is a complete aha and another time it is an absolute oho'

RASMUS PUUR: Instants

The concert programme of young composer Rasmus Puur's works:

„Hellerella“ for string orchestra
„Rejoice“ for string orchestra
"Hõlju, lenda" I-IV for solo harp
„Instants“ I–IV for string orchestra
„Longing“ for oboe and string orchestra
„Man and woman“ for two multipercussions (premiere)
A novel piece for oboe and string orchestra (premiere)
Public confession „Ice“ for mezzo-soprano and string orchestra, libretto Laur Lomper (premiere)

Juuli Lill (mezzo-soprano)
Eda Peäske (harp)
Riivo Kallasmaa (oboe)
Heigo Rosin (percussions)
Marilin Erikson (percussions)
Nargenfestival orchestra
conductor Rasmus Puur

On the first day of August fresh and novel music of a young composer Rasmus Puuri will sound in the glass hall of Tallinn Song Festival Ground. The opening piece of the concert is 'Hellerella' for string orchestra dedicated to Tõnu Kaljuste and Nargenfestival and created last summer for opening of Hellerella garden on Naissaar island. It is followed by the string orchestra piece 'Rejoice' full of joy of life and playfullness and the four movement cycle 'Instants' capturing different moods.

The lyrical 'Longing' and a novel piece created just for this concert are played with Riivo Kallasmaa as the soloist, who is one of the most superior, talented and expressive Estonian oboe players.

One more premiere is the three movements dialogue work 'Man and woman' created for an unusual combination of artists – a male and female percussionist.

The second part of the concert is the public confession 'Ice' created together with Laur Lomper, a writer, translator and poet and performed by a string orchestra with Juuli Lill, a mezzo-soprano and soloist of the National Opera of Estonia.

Tickets on sale from 16 May.

Veljo Tormis's choral cycle concert and staged performance 'Forgotten peoples' - SOLD OUT!

- Livonian heritage
- Votic wedding songs
- Izhorian epic
- Vepsian paths
- Ingrian evenings
- Karelia's fate

Director and choreographer Inga Vares and Mari Mägi
Chamber Choir Collegium Musicale
conductors Endrik Üksvärav and Miina Pärn
texts Teele Pärn and Arno Jürjens

The performance is a tribute to Veljo Tormis on his 84th birthday. The basis for the choral cycle 'Forgotten peoples' created in 1970-1989 were rune songs of six Balto-Finnish peoples – Livonian, Votian, Izhorian, Vepsian, Ingrian and Karelian. Veljo Tormis said that the work was created at the time when these ethnic groups were disappearing and forgotten by the whole world. By now all the folk singers, whose songs the composer used in the piece, are dead. Many of these Balto-Finnish peoples are on the verge of extinction and there are languages spoken by only a handful of individuals. But Veljo Tormis gives them all eternal life in music, not letting us forget that at some point their language too sought the eternity in the song.

Tickets on sale from 16 May.

Veljo Tormis's choral cycle 'Forgotten peoples'

- Livonian heritage
- Votic wedding songs
- Izhorian epic
- Vepsian paths
- Ingrian evenings
- Karelia's fate

Director and choreographer Inga Vares and Mari Mägi
Chamber Choir Collegium Musicale
conductors Endrik Üksvärav and Miina Pärn
texts Teele Pärn and Arno Jürjens

The concert is a tribute to Veljo Tormis on his 84th birthday. The basis for the choral cycle 'Forgotten peoples' created in 1970-1989 were rune songs of six Balto-Finnish peoples – Livonian, Votian, Izhorian, Vepsian, Ingrian and Karelian. Veljo Tormis said that the work was created at the time when these ethnic groups were disappearing and forgotten by the whole world. By now all the folk singers, whose songs the composer used in the piece, are dead. Many of these Balto-Finnish peoples are on the verge of extinction and there are languages spoken by only a handful of individuals. But Veljo Tormis gives them all eternal life in music, not letting us forget that at some point their language too sought the eternity in the song.

Tickets on sale from 16 May.

ARVO PÄRT'S DAYS: ADAM´S LAMENT – GRAMMY CONCERT

Adam´s Lament
Beatus Petronius
Salve Regina
Statuit ei Dominus
Alleluia-Tropus
L´Abbé Agathon
Estonian Lullaby
Christmas Lullaby

Tui Hirv (soprano)
Rainer Vilu (baritone)
Vox Clamantis
Latvian Radio Choir
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Sinfonietta Rīga
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
conductor Tõnu Kaljuste

With the opening concert of Arvo Pärt's Days we celebrate the significant recognition of Estonian and Latvian musicians – the Grammy award for the best choral performance. The best interpreters of the two countries present at the joint concert Arvo Pärt's works from the disc „Adam’s Lament“ (ECM), which has brought to Tõnu Kaljuste one of the most valuable prizes of the musical world.

ARVO PÄRT'S DAYS: KANON POKAJANEN from Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

Kanon pokajanen

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
conductor Tõnu Kaljuste

Arvo Pärt's most large-scale choral piece 'Kanon pokajanen' is dedicated to Tõnu Kaljuste and Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir who were the premiere performers and first recording artists of the work. ECM's disc 'Kanon pokajanen' was nominated for Grammy's best contemporary music piece and noted by famous music magazines Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine. These Arvo Pärt's Days is the possibility to listen to the famous composer's most monumental choir piece performed by those who brought the music to life for the first time.

ARVO PÄRT'S DAYS: FESTINA LENTE

Festina lente
Ein Wallfahrtslied
The Woman with the Alabaster Box
Mein Weg
Te Deum

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
conductor Tõnu Kaljuste

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra will perform the programme mostly made up of the works created in the 1980s. It was the time when Pärt's music and its performances were least known and spoken of in Estonia. The dedications of the pieces speak about the people who were significant in the composer's creative life, like film director Grigori Kromanov, musicologist and publisher of the Universal Edition Alfred Schlee or ECM's founder Manfred Eicher as well as the devoted interpreters of the music: organist Kari Jussila or conductor Andreas Peer Kähler.

ARVO PÄRT'S DAYS: KANON POKAJANEN from Vox Clamantis SOLD OUT!

Kanon pokajanen

Vox Clamantis
conductor Jaan-Eik Tulve

This year's Arvo Pärt's Days offer the unique opportunity to listen to two different performances of Arvo Pärt's most substantial choir piece. The sonority of Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir is seconded by a more chamber-like Vox Clamantis's interpretation supported by the marvellous acoustics of the Church.

ARVO PÄRT'S DAYS: SARAH WAS NINETY YEARS OLD

Music from year 1976

Arvo Pärt

Trivium
Pari intervallo
Für Alina
An den Wassern zu Babel saßen wir und weinten
Sarah Was Ninety Years Old

YXUS Ensemble:
Maria Valdmaa (soprano)
Iris Oja (alto)
Endrik Üksvärav (tenor)
Tõnis Kaumann (baritone)
Ulla Krigul (organ, piano)
Lauri Ahone (percussion)

The YXUS Ensemble that has grown out from the former NYYD Ensemble and started last year will perform the pieces from the legendary concert programme of Hortus Musicus presented on 27 October 1976 in Estonia Concert Hall. That was the first time the audience heard the word of the title 'tintinnabuli'. The musical works were on that occasion performed with antique old instruments and marked the beginning of Arvo Pärt's new creative style, becoming the pillars of the composer's tintinnabuli music.

The soloist is soprano Maria Valdmaa who has acquired master's degree of baroque song in the Royal Conservatory of the Hague. She also participated in last year's Nargenfestival as one of the main characters in the opera about Bernhard Schmidt 'An enlightened disciple of darkness'.

ARVO PÄRT'S DAYS: Arvo Pärt's birthday concert

Lamentate
Como cierva sedienta

Patricia Rozario (soprano, UK)
Marrit Gerretz-Traksmann (piano)
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
conductor Tõnu Kaljuste

Arvo Pärt's birthday programme has two monumental concert pieces for soloist and symphony orchestra – the genre in which the composer has created only few works. 'Lamentate' was commissioned by the Tate Modern Gallery in London and is performed with Marrit Gerretz-Traksmann as the soloist, an interpreter of a special perception of Arvo Pärt's music. A British soprano with Indian roots, Patricia Rozario, with her unique voice and artistism has inspired many famous composers. 'Como cierva sedienta' ('As the deer longs') has been created specially for her.