News
Robert Jürjendal 60: anniversary concert "GAMMA" at the House of Blackheads
On January 10, 2026 at 6 p.m., guitarist and composer Robert Jürjendal's 60th anniversary concert "GAMMA" will take place in the Tallinn House of Blackheads, that is a great opportunity to experience his ensemble and orchestral music, most of which was composed between 2023 and 2025.
The Ensemble of the Estonian Electronic Music Society Released its Debut Album „EMA”
The Ensemble of the Estonian Electronic Music Society (EMA) has released its first record — a debut album featuring concert recordings from 2017 to 2022.
Tobias’s "Joonas" was released on CD with the original music and Estonian text
A double album has been released featuring a landmark work in Estonian music history — Estonia’s first oratorio, Rudolf Tobias’s “Joonas” (Jonah). For the first time, the oratorio has been recorded according to the composer’s original score and with the Estonian text, released by the record label Ondine. In addition, the Estonian Music Information Centre has published four new original editions: full scores and piano reductions in both German and Estonian.
A six-day festival in Oxford celebrates the music of Arvo Pärt
On November 11, a wide-ranging festival dedicated to the music of Arvo Pärt, 90 Years of Arvo Pärt: A REFLECTION, began in Oxford. Taking place at various venues across the university city, the six-day festival focuses on the composer’s tintinnabuli works as he marks his 90th birthday this year. The festival is organised by Music at Oxford in collaboration with the Arvo Pärt Centre, the Estonian Embassy in London and the Estonian Ministry of Culture.
Ensemble for New Music Tallinn named laureate of the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation’s Ensemble Prize 2026
The Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation is awarding the Ensemble Prizes ’26 to NO HAY BANDA from Canada and the Ensemble for New Music Tallinn from Estonia. The Prize is endowed with €75,000 and is presented each year to two outstanding young ensembles.
AFEKT 2025 Celebrates the 90th Birthdays of Pärt and Lachenmann and the 100th of Berio and Boulez
The 24th International Contemporary Music Festival AFEKT takes place on October 24–28 in Tallinn and Tartu, November 25 in Tapa, and returns to Tallinn on December 5.
Alpha Classics releases new recording with the Estonian Festival Orchestra for Arvo Pärt’s 90th birthday
Alpha Classics announces the release of CREDO, a new live recording by Paavo Järvi and the Estonian Festival Orchestra. Captured at this summer’s Pärnu Music Festival, the album features ten iconic works by Arvo Pärt — including the world-premiere recording of Silhouette (dedicated to Järvi in 2010) and Credo, first premiered in 1968 by his father, Neeme Järvi. The album will be released on 5 September, just days before Pärt’s 90th birthday on 11 September.
Arvo Pärt Centre presents a book published to celebrate the composer's 90th birthday
The Arvo Pärt Centre has published a book entitled "Gratefully. Heartfelt. With Love. Musical Greetings" from Arvo Pärt to celebrate the composer’s 90th birthday. The book launch at the Arvo Pärt Centre on Wednesday, September 3, at 3 p.m. is open to all.
Hans Christian Aavik named Young Artist in Focus with the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn for the 2025/26 season
The Württemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn (WKO) is delighted to announce that Estonian violin sensation Hans Christian Aavik will be its Young Artist in Focus for the 2025/26 season. With his charismatic stage presence, radiant sound, and bold musical vision, Aavik is already captivating audiences across Europe – and now he will bring his artistry to Heilbronn in a series of exciting projects with the WKO.
Ülo Krigul Awarded 2025 Veljo Tormis Fund Scholarship
On August 7, during the celebration of Veljo Tormis’s 95th anniversary at the beloved composer’s birthplace in Kõrveaia, the 2025 Veljo Tormis Fund Scholarship, administered by the Estonian National Culture Foundation, was presented. The €4,000 award was granted to Ülo Krigul.