From June 16 to 23, the tenth Suure-Jaani Music Festival is coming about in the town of Suure-Jaani, Estonia. The festival has been established to promote the heritage of Estonian composers Artur Kapp (1878–1952), his nephew Villem Kapp (1913–1964) and son Eugen Kapp (1908–1996) and Estonian music in general. The festival programme also includes Mart Saar Singing Competition and meetings with several composers and performers. As a guest collective, the Monastery of Optina Pustyn Male Choir from St. Petersburg will participate. In all, the festival programme features 24 various events.
The X Suure – Jaani Music Festival opens with a concert of Estonian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Paul Mägi, the programme consisting of the overture "Don Carlos" by Artur Kapp, Symphony No. 2 by Villem Kapp and the suite "Kalevipoeg" by Eugen Kapp. The same day, Jaanus Siim's photo exhibition "Suure-Jaani Music Festival 2006" will be opened at the Home Museum of the Kapp family. On June 17, meeting with composer and pianist Olav Ehala takes places, followed by the concert of his songs. Among others, such Estonian performers as the Estonian National Male Choir with Mikhail Gerts, Pärnu City Orchestra with Jüri Alperten, Estonian Television Girls’ Choir with Aarne Saluveer, Tobias String Quartet, bass Mati Palm, pianist Peep Lassmann, saxophonist Villu Veski, accordionist Tiit Kalluste, violinist Kristel Eeroja-Põldoja, cellist Aare Tammesalu, harpsichord player Lembit Orgse, organist Andres Uibo and Tarmo Noormaa on Estonian diatonic accordion, will participate. Beside the work of classical and contemporary Estonian composers (Arvo Pärt, Tõnu Kõrvits, Galina Grigorjeva, Andres Uibo ao), folksy and popular music belong to the festival programme. In co-operation with Estonia Academy of Music and Theatre, Mart Saar Singing Competition is organised.
Suure – Jaani Music Festival was founded in 1998 as a yearly summer festival. The promoters of the event are Suure – Jaani Parish Government and State Concert Institute Eesti Kontsert, artistic director of the festival is Andres Uibo