On May 5 and 6, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir led by Paul Hillier performs at Moscow Easter Festival 2008, which artistic director is Valery Gergiev. On May 5 at 3 pm, the choir performs Kanon Pokajanen by Arvo Pärt at Kosma and Damian Church. On May 6, the choir participates in the gala concert that takes place at the Tchaikovsky Concert House. Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir performs “Bridge of Song” by Veljo Tormis, “Psalm 104”, “Psalm 141” and “Blessed is the Man” by Cyrillus Kreek, and also “Nunc dimittis” and “Bogoroditse dyevo” by Arvo Pärt. There are 120 music events taking place in Moscow and in smaller Russian towns during the 6-year-tradition Moscow Easter festival. Top musicians from Russia and elsewhere perform at the festival that lasts from April 27 to May 9.
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir will have busy times ahead. Getting home, the choir will have the concerts entitled Arvo Pärt & Ars Antiqua, also conducted by Paul Hillier. The concerts will take place on May 9 at St Nicholas Lutheran Church in Haapsalu and on May 10 at St Nicholas Church in Tallinn. The concerts start at 7 pm. The programme consists of 7 Magnificat-Antiphonen, "Magnificat", "Triodion" and "Nunc dimittis" by Arvo Pärt and “The Bishop and the Pagan” by Veljo Tormis, for the contrast also the creation by authors from the period of ars antique is included. On May 15, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir performs the same programme in Gent, Belgium.
On May 12, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir performs in Modena, on May 13 also in Monfalcone, both in Italy. Again the programme includes many Estonian pieces like St. John's Day Songs and “The Bishop and the Pagan”, „Blessed is the man”, „Psalm 141” and „Psalm 104” by Cyrillus Kreek, parts from Gloria patri by Urmas Sisask, 7 Magnificat-Antiphonen and “Magnificat” by Arvo Pärt, additionally some Nordic music: “Lover” by Jean Sibelius and “Lapponia” by Erik Bergman. In addition to Italy, these works will be performed on May 16 at Estonian Culture Days in Hannover. In culture days, taking place from May 16 to 19, also the musicologist Gerhard Lock residing in Estonia will participate, to present an overview of new trends in Estonian contemporary music.
Maria Mölder