In June 2005, Estonia celebrated the 100 anniversary of composer Eduard Tubin (1905–1982). The author of 10 symphonies and several minor orchestra pieces, two operas, a ballet and numerous instrumental concertos took the young Estonian professional music to the cultural map of 20th century Europe.
The jubilee of national classic was celebrated quite broadly. State Concert institute Eesti Kontsert organised festival “Tubin and his time” (May 18 – June 19, 2005) with special so-called “symphonic parade” programme. The festival presented concerts in Tallinn and Tartu with the following performers: Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (conductors Paavo Järvi, Neeme Järvi, Nikolai Alexeev), Symphony Orchestra of Mariinsky Theatre (conductor Valeri Gergiev), Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra (conductor Eri Klas), Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (conductor Leif Segerstam), Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra (conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste), Viennese Tonkünstler Symphony Orchestra (conductor Kristjan Järvi), Latvian National Symphony Orchestra (conductor Olari Elts) and Symphony Orchestra of Vanemuine Theatre (conductor Lauri Sirp). Classical Channel of Estonian Radio broadcasted five concerts of the festival.
On the 18th of June 2005, in the programme of Estonian National Television a musical documentary “The Summary of Missed Days” (Exitfilm/ETV/SVT 2005) dedicated to the jubilee of Tubin was presented. The documentary had a public performance also on June 16th at movie theatre “Sõprus” in Tallinn.
An International Scientific Conference “Eduard Tubin 100” took place at Estonian Academy of Music on June 16–17, 2005. The subject of the meeting – the life and music of Tubin – was presented by numerous Estonian and foreign musicologists: Hans Åstrand, Jelena Gandshu, Mart Humal, Timothy L. Jackson, Edward Jurkowski, Anne Kilstofte, Maris Kirme, Arnolds Klotiņš, Kerri Kotta, Urve Lippus, Gerhard Lock, Hans-Gunter Lock, Veijo Murtomäki, Tomi Mäkelä, Graham H. Phipps, Margus Pärtlas, Vardo Rumessen and the son of the composer Eino Tubin.
On June 7th 2005, in the rooms of Estonian Theatre and Music Museum, the publishing house SE&JS and the museum presented new album “Eduard Tubin and His Time”. Both private and creative life of the composer is shown on numerous photos and comments by Vardo Rumessen. The album has an additional CD with the music of Eduard Tubin.
In May and June 2005, the Classical Channel of Estonian Radio presented the six-parted programme by Virve Normet, and concert programme with the most popular music of Tubin and additional discussions about the composer and his music by Vardo Rumessen, Toomas Velmet, Arvo Leibur, Harry Olt and several other Estonian musicians.
On the 5th of May 2005, an exhibition “The Symphony of life born out of longing”, dedicated to the anniversary of Eduard Tubin, was presented in the rooms of Estonian Theatre and Music Museum.
On the November 27th 2004, Estonian National Opera Company presented the new production of the opera “Barbara von Tisenhusen” by Eduard Tubin in the direction of Ago-Endrik Kerge.