Music News

Eino Tamberg 80

On May 27, composer Eino Tamberg – a romanticist and Estonian music’s bard of love, will celebrate his 80th anniversary. To mark this significant event, several Tamberg’s works will be performed both on the concert stage and in opera theatre.

On May 16, Tamberg’s vocal and chamber music will be performed at Estonian National Opera White Hall at 4 pm by René Soom (baritone), Helen Lokuta (mezzo soprano), Tarmo Eespere (piano), Lea Leiten (piano), Toomas Vavilov (clarinet), Aare Tammesalu (cello), Mari Visnapuu (piano) and Neeme Punder (flute). The program consists of Five Romances to Poems by Sandor Petöfi, Op. 4, Prelude and Metamorphosis, Op. 38a, Three Simple Songs, Op. 76, Dialogues for Violoncello and Piano, Op. 123 and Piano Quartet, Op. 107.

On May 18 at 4.05 pm, radio broadcast about Tamberg’s opera The Flight can be heard on Estonian classical music radio Klassikaraadio (hosted by Helju Tauk). It was first broadcasted in 1984.

On May 27 and 29, performances of Tamberg’s romantic opera Cyrano de Bergerac, Op. 45 (1974, libretto by Jaan Kross), directed by Neeme Kuningas, will take place at Estonian National Opera at 7 pm. In the roles will be Rauno Elp, Alfia Kamalova, Oliver Kuusik, Jassi Zahharov, Helen Lokuta, Urmas Põldma, Kristina Vähi, René Soom, Aleksander Arder, Andres Köster, Villu Valdmaa, Mart Laur, Mart Madiste, Aare Kodasma (conductor Vello Pähn).

On May 28, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra under the guidence of Paul Mägi will perform Tamberg’s Celebration Fanfares, Op. 94, two parts from the vocal cycle Five Romances to Poems by Sandor Petöfi, Op. 4 (soloist baritone Rauno Elp), Song of Songs from the oratorio Amores, Op. 65 (soloist Rauno Elp), Trumpet Concerto No. 1, Op. 42 (soloist Indrek Vau), A Sentimental Journey with a Clarinet, Op. 96 (soloist Toomas Vavilov) and Symphony No. 4, Op. 102 at Estonia Concert Hall in Tallinn at 7 pm.

In addition, also Tamberg’s ballet Joanna tentata, Op. 37 will be staged within the framework of the Birgitta Festival in summer.

Music for orchestra and the stage occupy a central position in Eino Tamberg’s oeuvre: he is the writer of four symphonies, nine concertos for solo instrument and many works for the stage, he has also composed chamber music. Social reality and current musical trends are not the most important influence on Tamberg’s work, which, even through changing times, resounds with the beauty and pain of being human. Love is the all-pervading theme of his work, and literary and poetic experience is also deeply reflected.

Eino Tamberg’s music has been performed in many European countries (Germany, Finland, Sweden, France, Denmark, Norway, etc), Canada and the US and in the territory of former Soviet Union. His orchestral works have been performed by many outstanding orchestras with many renowned conductors. Many of Tamberg’s works have been composed for world famous artists, but he is also linked by close collaboration to Estonian musicians.

Three author CDs with Eino Tamberg’s works have been released (1997, 2000, 2009) and the composer’s music has also been featured on several compilation CDs. A picture of Tamberg’s life and work is provided by the book “Sentimental Journey. Eino Tamberg” published in spring 2005 by the Estonian Music Information Centre.

From 1947–1953, Tamberg studied composition at the Tallinn Conservatoire with Prof. Eugen Kapp. Since 1968, Eino Tamberg has a composition faculty member at the Estonian Academy of Music; he was head of the composition department 1978–2005 (including a sabbatical), and professor since 1983. Thirty-one Estonian composers have graduated during his tenure, including Raimo Kangro, Mari Vihmand, Toivo Tulev, Peeter Vähi, Margo Kõlar and Alo Mattiisen.

Agnes Toomla 

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