News
Estonian Music Information Centre is on winter vacation
Estonian Music Information Centre is on winter vacation from December 21 till January 1. Orders will be fulfilled from January 2. Scores in PDF format paid with credit card appear into your mailbox automatically. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Film music concerts with Nordic Symphony Orchestra
Between December 17 to 19, the Nordic Symphony Orchestra under Anu Tali will give concerts of film music in Tallinn, Tartu, and Pärnu. The programme includes popular themes from different film soundtracks.
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra named Olari Elts as its next Music Director and Chief Conductor
The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra has announced Olari Elts as the Music Director and Chief Conductor from the season 2020/2021. The current Chief Conductor Neeme Järvi will continue to work with ENSO as the Honorary Conductor for Life.
Tallinn String Quartet celebrates its 35th anniversary
Tallinn String Quartet celebrates its 35th anniversary with concerts at the Tallinn Central Library, performing works by Ludwig van Beethoven and Tõnu Kõrvits and at the Kadriorg Palace, playing Beethoven and Franz Schubert.
Saxophone quartet SaxEst turns 20
On December 5 and 7, the saxophone quartet SaxEst will celebrate its 20th anniversary with concerts in Tartu and Laulasmaa. The programme will include music by Arvo Pärt, Tõnu Kõrvits, Galina Grigorjeva, Guy Lacour, Pedro Iturralde, and Siim Aimla.
First prize of 9th Estonian Piano Competition shared between Tähe-Lee Liiv and Mantas Šernius
The first prize of the 9th Estonian Piano Competition was shared between 16-year old Tähe-Lee Liiv from Estonia, and Mantas Šernius from Lithuania. The third prize went to Estonian Evita Lohu. The other finalists received finalist diplomas.
Programme Music Meets Film in Tallinn
A programme of talks, masterclasses and screenings dedicated to film scoring will run from November 25–27 in Tallinn.
Portrait concert of Tõnu Kõrvits
On November 22, the portrait concert of Tõnu Kõrvits at the Estonia Concert Hall presents the premiere of his „Nocturanus“ written for gongs and string orchestra. The new work will be performed by Tallinn Chamber Orchestra under Risto Joost with Virgo Veldi (saxophone), Tammo Sumera (electronics), and Madis Metsamart and Vambola Krigul (percussion).
Early music festival Tallinn feat. Reval
The early music festival Tallinn feat. Reval will be held from November 23 to December 1 and it hosts musicians both from Estonia and abroad. Eleven festival concerts will take place in Tallinn, Narva, Viljandi, Otepää, and Viinistu. The festival also features documentaries as well as a roundtable discussion on theory and practice in early music.
9th Estonian Piano Competition to be held at the end of November
From November 21 to 29, the Concert Hall of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre will host the 9th Estonian Piano Competition. The competition will consist of three rounds, all of them open to the public, with the final round allowing the best competitors to perform with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.
Chamber Choir Collegium Musicale gives two concerts in Poland
This weekend, one of the Estonian top chamber choir Collegium Musicale under its founder conductor Endrik Üksvärav will give two concerts in Poland, on November 16 at the international festival Eufonie in Warsaw and November 17 at Estonian Days in Białystok. Concert programs consist of music by Estonian composers (Arvo Pärt, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Tõnu Kõrvits and others) and Polish premiere of the piece, dedicated to the choir, by Pawel Łukaszewski.
Estonian National Male Choir celebrates its 75th anniversary
From November 16 to 31, the Estonian National Male Choir will celebrate its 75th anniversary. Concerts in Tallinn, Tartu, and Pärnu under the chief conductor Mikk Üleoja will include music by Felix Mendelssohn, Ko Matsushita, Riho-Esko Maimets, Max Reger, Francis Poulenc, Justė Janulytė, and Giovanni Bonato.
Ensemble Una Corda premieres new works by Galina Grigorjeva and Ülo Krigul
On November 16, the contemporary music ensemble Una Corda will give a concert together with vocal soloist Andrus Kallastu at the St. Nicholas’ Church in Tallinn. Premieres by Ülo Krigul and Galina Grigorjeva, alongside the works by Raimo Kangro, Johann Sebastian Bach, Pekka Jalkanen, and live-compositions by Una Corda will be presented.
Arvo Volmer conducts the Naples Philharmonic
On November 14 and 16, Arvo Volmer will conduct the Naples Philharmonic in Naples Hayes Hall in Florida, USA.
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir in November
The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under Kaspars Putniņš will give concerts in Estonia, Finland, South Korea, and Hong Kong during November. The concerts will feature the world premiere by Ülo Krigul as well as music by Arvo Pärt, Veljo Tormis, Alfred Schnittke, Johannes Brahms, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Conference „Explaining universe – systems, humans and arts“ is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of composer Udo Kasemets
To celebrate Udo Kasemets’ 100th birthday, ensemble U: in collaboration with The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre is organizing the conference „Explaining Universe – Systems, Humans and Arts”. In connection with the conference, two concerts will take place in Kanuti Gildi SAAL and The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.
Sound Plasma Festival in Berlin
The festival of microtonal music, the Sound Plasma Festival will be held from November 1 to 3 in at the Acker Stadt Palast in Berlin. The festival presents several performances and masterclasses and features various performers such as the Ensemble New Music Tallinn, Erik Drescher, Sonja Horlacher, Flavio Virzi, Samuel Ekkehardt Dunscombe, Nicholas Isherwood, and Sound Plasma international ensemble.
International Contemporary Music Festival Afekt
The International Contemporary Music Festival Afekt taking place from October 28 to November 5 in Tallinn and Tartu will feature new music ensembles from around Europe and present the music by Toshio Hosokawa, Olga Neuwirth, Rebecca Saunders, Mark Barden, Enno Poppe, Märt-Matis Lill, Helena Tulve, Marianna Liik, and Maria Kõrvits among others.
Arvo Pärt Days in Brussels
From October 23 to 27 the festival dedicated to Arvo Pärt’s music takes place at the Flagey Concert Hall in Brussels. The festival features concerts, lectures, meditation sessions, a photo exhibition, films and documentaries. The music by Pärt will be performed by Helsinki Chamber Choir, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Trio Khnopff, Brussels Philharmonic, Vlaams Radiokoor, Collegium Vocale Gent, and Musiques Nouvelles.
7th National Competition of Young Choral Conductors
The 7th National Competition of Young Choral Conductors takes place from October 16 to 19 in Tallinn. The participants will work with a mixed choir of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, the Estonian National Male Choir, and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. The winners will be decided after three rounds in the final concert at the Concert Hall of the EAMT.
Violinist Triin Ruubel will perform Estonian chamber music in France
On October 17, violinist Triin Ruubel together with French pianist Nicolas Horvath will perform various programme of Estonian chamber music at the Chapelle des Jésuites in Carcassonne, France.
Trio Mari Poll – Henry-David Varema – Mihkel Poll to perform in Russia and China
The piano trio featuring Mari Poll (violin), Henry-David Varema (cello), and Mihkel Poll (piano) will perform in St. Petersburg, Russia and Zhejiang, China at the end of October, where they will present chamber music by Artur Lemba, Erkki-Sven Tüür, and Sergei Rachmaninoff.
24th International Early Music Festival ORIENT et OCCIDENT
24th International Early Music Festival ORIENT et OCCIDENT takes place from October 10 to 13 in Tartu and Tallinn, and features musicians from Denmark, Norway, India, Iran, Finland, Spain, and Estonia. Festival concerts will present European Mediaeval, Scandinavian, Indian and Persian Classical, Sufi and Kurdish music, and improvisations.
Pianist Mihkel Poll’s solo recitals in Venice and Tallinn
Pianist Mihkel Poll will give two solo recitals during October. On October 10 he will perform at the Benedetto Marcello Venice Music Conservatory and on October 29 at the Estonia Concert Hall in Tallinn.
Viljandi Guitar Festival will be held this week
The 12th Viljandi Guitar Festival, which aims to promote improvisational and cross-stylistic guitar playing skills, takes place from October 8 to 13 in the city of Viljandi and introduces artists from home and abroad.
Erkki-Sven Tüür 60
The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, and chamber choir Collegium Musicale will give portrait concerts to mark the 60th anniversary of the birth of composer Erkki-Sven Tüür during October.
Helena Tulve’s „The Narrow Road to the Deep North“ to be premiered in London
The world’s finest vocal ensembles Theatre of Voices will present some of the new vocal chamber music to come out of the Baltic States including a world premiere work from Helena Tulve at Kings Place in London.
Festival „Mirror in Mirror“ in Moscow
The festival „Mirror in Mirror“ („Zerkalo v zerkale“) in Moscow, taking place from September 27 to 29, presents the music by Estonian, Georgian, and Russian composers. The special guest of the festival is the pianist Kadri-Ann Sumera.
The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre will start its centennial festival
This season the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre celebrates its centennial, which coincides with the opening of the long-awaited new concert hall of the Academy. The EAMT will be commencing its centennial celebrations with a festival of concerts, performances, and much more from September 28 to October 2.
Rein Rannap’s Oboe Concerto to be premiered at the season-opening concert of the Pärnu City Orchestra
Pärnu City Orchestra will open its season on September 24 with the world premiere of Rein Rannap’s Oboe Concerto. The programme at the Pärnu Concert Hall also includes works by Tõnu Kõrvits and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
New Concert series by Estonian Foundation of Musical Instruments launched
The Estonian Foundation of Musical Instruments in collaboration with the state concert institution Eesti Kontsert has launched new concert series "The treasures of the Instrument Foundation". The new series will present the young Estonian musicians who have given for temporary use the historic instruments from the collection of the Estonian Foundation of Musical Instruments.
Chamber Choir Voces Musicales celebrates its 20th anniversary with the music of Arvo Pärt and Pärt Uusberg
Chamber Choir Voces Musicales will celebrate its 20th anniversary on September 14 at the St. John’s Church in Tallinn. The concert will present the music of Arvo Pärt and Pärt Uusberg.
New scores at the EMIC Music Store
Our newly edited and engraved edition of the Symphony by Ester Mägi can now be purchased on the EMIC Music Store.
Season-opening concert and European tour of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
In September, the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra will give two concerts in Tallinn and will then start the concert tour to Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany. The season-opening concert on September 13 under Neeme Järvi will present the works by Jean Sibelius, Anton Bruckner, Johannes Hiob, and Villem Kapp.
Cellist Aare Tammesalu at the International Chamber Music Week in Rio de Janeiro
Cellist Aare Tammesalu will participate in the 8th International Chamber Music Week of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and will perform music by Brahms, Bach, Barber, and Schubert together with the musicians from Brazil, Canada, Greece, and Italy.
New scores at the EMIC Music Store
Estonian Music Information Centre is delighted to present the newly edited and engraved editions of Artur Lemba’s chamber music, including ensemble and solo piano works.
Paavo Järvi named as Conductor of the Year
Opus Klassik Awards announced Paavo Järvi as the Conductor of the Year 2019 for his recording of the complete Sibelius Symphonies with the Orchestre de Paris.
Season’s opening concert of the Palace Music Concert Series features Ciurlionis Quartet
On September 8, the new season of the Palace Music Concert Series will begin at the Kadriorg Palace with regular concerts on Sundays at 6 p.m. The opening concert features Čiurlionis String Quartet who will present works by Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis and Ludwig van Beethoven.
Arvo Pärt Days to begin this weekend
The Arvo Pärt Days, dedicated to the music of Arvo Pärt, is taking place from August 31 to September 11 as a part of the Nargenfestival. The concerts are held in Tallinn, Laulasmaa, Rapla, Paide, Rakvere, Viljandi, Tartu, and on the island of Hiiumaa.
Raimo Kangro’s musical „Juku“ to be premiered at Narva Opera Festival
On September 1, Raimo Kangro’s musical „Juku“ with a libretto by Leelo Tungal will be premiered in the city of Narva as a part of the Narva Opera Festival „ContempArt“.
The Association of Estonian Professional Musicians opens its concert season
The season's opening concert of the Association of Estonian Professional Musicians taking place on August 29 features cellist Valle-Rasmus Roots and pianist Sten Lassmann who will perform Johannes Brahms’s Sonatas for Cello and Piano.
Chamber choir Collegium Musicale starts its 10th season in Kyiv with music by Arvo Pärt
On August 28, chamber choir Collegium Musicale will start its 10th concert season in the city of Kyiv in Ukraine. The programme at the Holy Sophia Cathedral consists of music by Arvo Pärt, Cyrillus Kreek, and Pärt Uusberg.
Tõnu Kaljuste conducts the Swedish Radio Choir and the concert of Arvo Pärt’s music at the Baltic Sea Festival
On August 28 and 29, Tõnu Kaljuste conducts two concerts at the Baltic Sea Festival in Berwaldhallen, Stockholm. The concert of Swedish Radio Choir remembers and honours the victims of the tragic accident of ferry and passenger vessel M/S Estonia. The concert „Music of All Colours“ presents the music by Arvo Pärt.
Pianist Yuko Yoshioka plays Urmas Sisask’s Starry Sky Cycles in Tokyo
Japanese pianist Yuko Yoshioka will perform Starry Sky Cycles No. 1-4 by Urmas Sisask this season at Kiwa Tennoz in Tokyo, Japan.
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra together with the violinist Robert Traksmann to perform at the Mozartiana festival in Gdansk
This weekend Tallinn Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Juha Kangas will perform together with the violin soloist Robert Traksmann at the XIV International Mozartiana Festival in Gdansk, Poland. The concert takes place on August 23 at the courtyard of the historic Abbot’s Palace in Oliwa Park.
Vana Tallinn Gala dedicated to the centennial of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
The Estonian National Opera’s traditional Vana Tallinn Gala is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. This year’s gala presents the young rising opera singers as well as their teachers.
Kristiina Poska conducts Lyon National Orchestra
On August 21, Kristiina Poska will conduct Lyon National Orchestra at the Berlioz Festival in France. The programme consists of works by Berlioz, Ravel, Debussy, and Dutilleux.
Tallinn Chamber Music Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary
The 15th Tallinn Chamber Music Festival will be held from August 21 to 30 at different venues in Tallinn, featuring top musicians from Estonia as well as guests from Denmark and Russia.
Cellist Marcel Johannes Kits and pianist Sten Heinoja at the Kadriorg Palace
On August 16, cellist Marcel Johannes Kits and pianist Sten Heinoja will give a concert at the Kadriorg Palace in Tallinn at 6 p.m.
New scores in EMIC Music Store
Vocal and choral works of Maria Kõrvits, the winner of the youth category at the Rostrum of Composers held in 2016, can be now purchased through the EMIC Music Store.
Birgitta musical theatre festival dedicated to Maestro Eri Klas
The Birgitta musical theatre festival taking place in the historical ruins of Pirita Convent from August 9 to 18 will mark the 80th anniversary of the birth of the founder of the festival, Maestro Eri Klas.
Estonian Music Information Centre is on summer vacation
Estonian Music Information Centre is on summer vacation until the 4th of August. Find the information about concerts in July from our Calendar of Music Events. EMIC Music Shop orders will be fulfilled from August 5. Scores in PDF format paid with credit card appear into your mailbox automatically. Have a wonderful summer!
The Estonian Song and Dance Celebration will be festively held next week
On July 4 to 7 the 27th Song Celebration and the 20th Dance Celebration titled „My Fatherland is My Love“ will be held in Tallinn. The year 2019 will mark two great jubilees in Song and Dance Celebration history: 150 years since the birth of the Song Celebration and 85 years since the first Dance Celebration.
A new composition „Sei la luce e il mattino“ by Tõnu Kõrvits to be recorded
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under the baton of Risto Joost will record the new piece „Sei la luce e il mattino” by Tõnu Kõrvits at the Tallinn Philharmonic Society House of Blackheads. An album will be released under the Finnish label Ondine.
Giuseppe Verdi’s Messa da Requiem in Tõrva
On June 15 at 7 pm, Giuseppe Verdi’s sacred masterpiece Messa da Requiem will be performed in small Estonian town Tõrva, South-Estonia by almost 200 musicians. Among the soloists will be Estonian mezzo-soprano Monika-Evelin Liiv, several Estonian top choirs and Estonian National Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Risto Joost.
„Sei la luce e il mattino” by Tõnu Kõrvits to be premiered at the Tallinn Philharmonic Society’s final concert of the season
On June 16, the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra under the baton of Risto Joost will end its season at the Tallinn Philharmonic Society House of Blackheads with the premiere of „Sei la luce e il mattino” by Tõnu Kõrvits.
Arvo Volmer announced as the new Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Estonian National Opera
The council of the Estonian National Opera confirmed Arvo Volmer as the new Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Estonian National Opera from the season 2019–2020.
Celebratory week dedicated to Maestro Eri Klas
From June 5 to 8, the Estonian National Opera, the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, state concert institution Eesti Kontsert, and the Tallinn Philharmonic Society will jointly present a programme to mark the 80th anniversary of the birth of Maestro Eri Klas (June 7, 1939 – February, 26 2016).
Toivo Tulev’s „I Heard the Voices of Children“ to be premiered in Los Angeles
Toivo Tulev’s new work „I Heard the Voices of Children“ for choir, soloists and instrumental ensemble will be premiered on June 1 in Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The work is a joint commision of chamber choir The Crossing and Los Angeles Philharmonic for the „Noon to Midnight“ festival dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
The Association of Estonian Professional Musicians will end its season
Tomorrow, on May 21 the Association of the Estonian Professional Musicians will end its 20th season with the concert at the Tallinn Philharmonic Society House of Blackheads. The final concert will present bright young musicians Marten Altrov (clarinet) and Johan Randvere (piano). The programme consists of the works by Ester Mägi, Lepo Sumera, and Lembit Veevo, among others. The concert starts at 7 pm.
The annual conference of the International Association of Music Information Centres taking place in Tallinn
From May 8 to 10 the annual meeting and general assembly of the International Association of Music Information Centres (IAMIC) is taking place in Tallinn, Estonia. Representatives of music information centres from 19 countries are attening the annual conference, giving presentations and participating in seminars and discussions.
Estonian Sinfonietta at the Malta International Spring Orchestra Festival
At the beginning of May, the season of Eesti Sinfonietta ended majestically at 13th Malta International Spring Orchestra Festival, where orchestra gave two concerts in Valletta. The program consisted of music by Jean Sibelius, Arturs Maskats, Alfred Schnittke, Paul Hindemith, Francis Poulenc, Karl Fiorini, Gustav Mahler, and Estonian Lepo Sumera.
Pianist Ivari Ilja celebrates his jubilee with a solo recital
On May 8 the exceptional Estonian pianist, internationally recognized artist as well as the rector of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Ivari Ilja celebrates his 60th birthday with a solo recital at the White Hall of the Tallinn Philharmonic Society House of Blackheads. The program will consist of works by Frédéric Chopin.
A new album of French music for clarinet has been released
In May 2019, Estonian music production company Estonian Record Productions released a brand new album of 20th century French music for clarinet, performed by clarinetist Selvadore Rähni and pianist Tuuli Rähni. The CD presents works by Camille Saint-Saëns, Claude Debussy, Francis Poulenc, and Pierre Sancan.
Helena Tulve received the LHV new music award
On May 3, the LHV new music award Au-tasu was handed out during the concert „The Forest of Sounds“ at Estonia Concert Hall as a part of the Estonian Music Days festival. This year, composer Helena Tulve with her work „In Uncharted Waters“ was given the award.
ISCM World Music Days 2019 festival is about to start!
From May 2 to 10 Estonia is honoured to host the prestigious annual contemporary music festival World Music Days initiated by the International Society for Contemporary Music.
New CD with Erkki-Sven Tüür’s music performed by organist Ulla Krigul
Estonian Music Information Centre has released Erkki-Sven Tüür’s CD „Spectrums“ where composer’s works are performed by organist Ulla Krigul togeher with Indrek Vau (trumpet), Lauri Metsvahi (percussion) and Leho Karin (cello). The CD contains series of pieces written between 1989 and 2004 and titled as "Spectrum". It is the first time the four "Spectrums" have been included in one performance on a CD.
Tõnu Kõrvits’s portrait concert „Hymn to the Blue Sky“ and birthday week in radio channel Klassikaraadio
Composer Tõnu Kõrvits celebrates his 50th birthday on April 9 in Estonia Concert Hall with his friends and creative partners: Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Riho Sibul (guitar), Ulla Krigul (organ), Virgo Veldi (saxophone), Lena Willemark (vocal) and conductor Tõnu Kaljuste. Concert will be live broadcast in Klassikaraadio that celebrates composer's birthday with a special programme from April 8 to 13.