Music News

Arvo Pärt’s choral piece "O Holy Father Nicholas" will premiere at the Metropolitan Museum

On 31 October and 1 November, Arvo Pärt’s a cappella choral piece "O Holy Father Nicholas" will premiere at the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The work will be performed by the Artefact Ensemble, conducted by Grammy Award-nominated conductor Benedict Sheehan.

Festival TubIN in Tartu

From October 7–10, the first Tubin Festival will take place in Tartu under the leadership of conductor Mihhail Gerts. Dedicated to Estonia's greatest symphonist Eduard Tubin, the festival focuses on the music created by composer during his time spent in Tartu, also on the work of Tubin’s fellow student Eduard Oja and their mutual teacher Heino Eller.

The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir will perform at the newly opened Tonhalle Zurich

Tomorrow, on September 25, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and conductor Tõnu Kaljuste, will give a performance in newly renovated Tonhalle Concert Hall in Zurich with works by Arvo Pärt and Maurice Duruflé.

Toccata Classics continues its exploration of the piano music of Heino Eller with a seventh volume from pianist Sten Lassmann

Pianist Sten Lassmann is the first to undertake a complete recording of Heino Eller's piano works. A decade ago, he started the series "Heino Eller: Complete Piano Music" with the London-based record company Toccata Classics, the seventh volume is now available.

Aare Tammesalu and Irina Zahharenkova to perform in Italy

Cellist Aare Tammesalu and pianist Irina Zahharenkova will perform in Carinola, Italy, on September 10 and 11. In addition to works by Estonian composers Mirjam Tally, Andrus Kallastu and Arvo Pärt, the program also include music by Fryderyk Chopin, Felix Mendelssohn, Luigi Boccherini, Ludwig van Beethoven, Jean Philippe Rameau and Maurice Ravel.

Estonian National Symphony Orchestra’s 95th season starts on September 10 with the opening concert of the season

The 95th season of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra begins on September 10 with a grand opening concert, where Elis Hallik's new work "Firehearted" will be premiered. It will be introduced by a pre-concert starting at 6 pm and the "Symphonic Lunch" the day before. For a new season, ENSO's chief conductor and artistic director Olari Elts has invited the world's top soloists and conductors to Estonia. In addition, Elts introduces two new topics in the program selection: mental health and environmentally conscious behavior.

Arvo Pärt Days begin today

With the traditional Arvo Pärt Days starting today, the Nargenfestival celebrates Arvo Pärt's birthday. This year, the festival will reach churches and concert halls all over Estonia. The performers will be Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Choir Collegium Musicale, vocal ensemble Vox Clamantis, Ralph van Raat and Gesualdo Consort Amsterdam.

Concert of Estonian orchestral music in Finland

The string ensemble of the Oulu Symphony Orchestra will give a concert „Baltic Sea Moment” in the Madetoja Hall of the Oulu Music Center on August 26. Programme consists of music by Heino Eller, Lepo Sumera, Jaan Rääts, Ester Mägi and Arvo Pärt.

The Arvo Pärt Centre’s film evenings „Pärt & Film”

From August 13 to 15, film evenings „Pärt & Film” will take place in Arvo Pärt Centre, introducing the screen works in which Arvo Pärt’s music is used. For the first time, all screenings will take place in Laulasmaa in the hall of the Arvo Pärt Center, which has been adapted into a cinema hall with modern equipment.

New vinyl „Seasons in Songs“ with music by Veljo Tormis

The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC) has released a new recording – vinyl „Seasons in Songs”, which is based on the works of Estonian great choral master Veljo Tormis (1930 –2017). On this recording, the celebrated Estonian musicians – vocal soloist Liisi Koikson, jazz pianist Kristjan Randalu and the EPCC – perform the arrangements of Tormis’ less known vocal works. The new sound, electronic background and choral arrangements are written by Ülo Krigul and Sander Mölder.

Concert tour „Heino Eller. Estonian Elegy“ under the baton of Tõnu Kaljuste

This week, Tõnu Kaljuste and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra will start the concert tour „Heino Eller. Estonian Elegy”, bringing the music of a beloved composer to the small places of Estonia. The opening concert will take place on Thursday, August 12 at 7.30 pm in Kambja St. Martin’s Church in Tartu County.

Estonian Music Information Centre is on summer vacation

Estonian Music Information Centre is on summer vacation until the 1st of August. Find the information about concerts in July from our Calendar of Music Events. EMIC Music Shop orders will be fulfilled from August 2. Scores in PDF format paid with credit card appear into your mailbox automatically. Have a wonderful summer!

Estonian Sinfonietta celebrtes the 100th anniversary of Åland’s autonomy with international opera production

During 2021 and 2022 The Åland Islands will celebrate 100 years of autonomy. The celebrations will be starting on June 9 and will continue on July 15 to 17 with opera performances „Lisbeta – thou shalt not suffer a witch to live“ by Karólína Eiríksdóttir, featuring opera singers from Finland, Sweden and Åland, the Estonian Sinfonietta and conductor Anna-Maria Helsing.

Premiere of Jüri Reinvere's orchestral work in Germany

Jüri Reinvere’s new orchestral work “Maria Anna, wach, im Nebenzimmer” will be premiered on three evenings at the Bamberg Concert Hall as part of the Mozartfest Würzburg. The Bamberg Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Andris Nelsons.

In memoriam composer Ester Mägi (10.01.1922–14.05.2021)

Composer Ester Mägi has passed away at the age of 99.

Kristjan Järvi conducts an evening with Arvo Pärt in Brussels

On May 15, Kristjan Järvi will conduct Arvo Pärt's author's evening in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (Basiliek van Koekelberg) in Brussels. Vlaams Radiokoor and the Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Pärt's works "Adam's Lament", "Como cierva sedienta" and "Da pacem Domine".

Ester Mägi "The Sea" to be performed at the Europe Day Concert in London

On May 9, Ester Mägi's orchestral work "The Sea" will be performed at the Europe Day Concert at St John's Smith Square in London. The concert will be given by the Northern Chords Festival Orchestra conducted by Jonathan Bloxham, with Portuguese tenor Luis Gomes as a soloist.

Arvo Pärt’s New Choral Work to be Performed at the Opening of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in New York

Arvo Pärt’s a cappella choral work, "O Holy Saint Nicholas", will be premiered in New York City in the Fall of 2021.

Estonian Music Days 2021 will be online-only

Contemporary music festival Estonian Music Days runs from April 22 to May 2 and will be online-only. This year's festival is linked to the Baltic Music Days - the new festival with the aim of increasing the international visibility of Baltic musicians and composers.

Jaan Ots conducts the concert of the Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra

Tomorrow, on March 26, the concert of the Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra under the guidance of Estonian young conductor Jaan Ots will be broadcast by the Greek Third Program. The concert program consists of music by Arvo Pärt, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Giuseppe Verdi.

Toivo Tulev’s choral work was released on The Crossing chamber choir’s album

The Crossing chamber choir under Donald Nally has released a new album „The Tower and The Garden“ featuring the work „A Child Said, What Is the Grass?“ by Toivo Tulev.

Ensemble U: performs at the Latvian New Music Days Festival

Estonian contemproary music ensemble Ensemble U: will give on March 5, the online concert within the framework of the Latvian New Music Days. The program consists of music by Udo Kasemets, Jurgis Mačiūnas, Linda Leimane and Tatjana Kozlova-Johannes.

Alisson Kruusmaa's new works to be premiered in Finland and the Netherlands

At the beginning of March, new works by composer Alisson Kruusmaa will be premiered in Finland and in the Netherlands. Both the concerts can be watched live on YouTube.

New album released with music by Eduard Tubin and Sergei Rachmaninoff

On February 5th, the record label DUX will release a new album featuring piano concertos by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Eduard Tubin. It is recorded with pianist Mihkel Poll and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Mihhail Gerts.

New editions of Lemba’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Mägi’s Symphony published by EMIC

Newly edited and engraved editions of Artur Lemba’s Piano Concerto No.1 and Ester Mägi’s Symphony can now be purchased at the EMIC Music Store.