Klassikaraadio will release an album by Hortus Musicus as a fifth part of the series entitled Estonian Composers by the Estonian Public Broadcasting. The album will be presented on May 1 at 7:05 in Klassikaraadio on air. The CD-album involves White Prelude and Cantus by Galina Grigorjeva, also Psalmody, Conversio and Town Ritual by Erkki-Sven Tüür. In addition to Hortus Musicus, Latvian Radio Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir are featured on the CD.
Born in Ukraine but having lived over ten years in Estonia, Galina Grigorjeva has been strongly influenced by Slavonic ecclesiastical music tradition in her compositions, also in the work Cantus that is on this CD. White Prelude was inspired by preludes without measure that were widely spread in French music from 17th to 18th century; the work was written for baroque viola and was dedicated to Andres Mustonen. The album also involves two premiere recordings of works by Erkki-Sven Tüür: Psalmody is written in composer’s youth and Town Ritual is composed for the 600th anniversary of Tallinn Town Hall. Also the work entitled Conversio (dedicated to Andres Mustonen) belongs to Tüür’s earlier creation period and has found its place in repertoire of many renowned violinists.
Being the first early music collective in Estonia, Hortus Musicus and its artistic director Andres Mustonen has inspired many contemporary composers to create music for old instruments. A number of Estonian authors, Arvo Pärt among them, have dedicated their compositions for the ensemble. In addition to attractive concert activity both in Estonia and foreign countries, the ensemble that operates for 35th season has recorded over 30 records.
The aim of the Estonian Public Broadcasting CD-series entitled Estonian Composers is to introduce the works of Estonian composers outside Estonia in mediation of public broadcasts, to find new contacts, also possibilities for public performances and radio broadcasts of Estonian music. Release of the compilation has been supported by the Estonian Ministry of Culture through the project Estonian Records in the International Arena. The album of Hortus Musicus comes out for the second time in series Estonian Composers. In 2003, Hortus Musicus released an album with the music of Lepo Sumera and Galina Grigorjeva; the record won an Estonian Music Award in category of classical music.
Maria Mölder