Estonian conductor Tõnu Kaljuste has won a Grammy Award in the Best Choral Performance category for his work on composer Arvo Pärt’s album “Adam’s Lament” at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. “Adam’s Lament” was recorded with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, the Sinfonietta Riga, the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, the Latvian Radio Choir and the […]
As part of the London A Cappella Festival, on 22 January the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir performed “An Eastern Vigil”, at LSO St Luke’s, conducted by Daniel Reuss, accompanied by Gilad Atzmon, which included works by Pärt, Rachmaninov and others. There are no better words than “solemn” and “mysterious” with which to describe An Eastern Vigil, the opening
Review: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir at LSO St Luke’s in London Read More »
Estonian composer Arvo Pärt has, for the third year running, been given the title of the “world’s most performed living composer” by the classical music event database, bachtrack.com. Placing 38th in the overall composers’ ranking, Pärt was ranked higher than his two principal competitors, Scottish composer James Macmillan, who came 45th, and veteran film music
Arvo Pärt world’s most performed composer for third year running Read More »
Estophile Adam Garrie argues that it’s time to establish a dedicated museum of Estonian music, with an emphasis not only on rich choral traditions and modern classical, but also on a contemporary period. When mentioning Estonian culture to international audiences, the first thing that usually comes to mind is Estonia’s rich musical tradition. Estonia’s choral
Adam Garrie: A museum of Estonian music is needed for Estonia and the web Read More »
Choosing an Estonian song of the year was never going to be an easy task. The fact that the Estonian music scene is so broad and varied only adds further to this complication. So in order to spare some of the agony (or risk alienating half of our readers), we’ve decided not to opt for
Estonian World’s Songs of the Year 2013 Read More »
“Skyscraper”, a song originally written by the Estonian recording artist Kerli Kõiv with Toby Gad and Lindy Robbins in 2011, and in 2013 re-recorded and sung by British singer Sam Bailey, has become the Christmas No. 1 in the United Kingdom. The battle for Christmas number one is traditionally fiercely fought in Britain and the
Video: A song written by Estonian artist Kerli becomes UK’s Christmas number one Read More »
As part of the London Philharmonic’s acclaimed “The Rest Is Noise” Festival, celebrating contemporary orchestral music, on 6 November Tõnu Kaljuste led a performance of pieces by Arvo Pärt and Sofia Gubaidulina. Tõnu Kaljuste is one of the foremost choral directors in the world while he has also won acclaim for his non-choral orchestral leadership.
24 Preludes for a Fugue is an authorised documentary about Arvo Pärt. A portrait made of precious moments recorded during three prolific years of the composer’s life, the film features rehearsals, premieres, seminars, meetings and recollections. Director Dorian Supin succeeds in revealing Arvo Pärt’s musical thinking. His work opens a door on the inner world of one
Arvo Pärt: 24 Preludes for a Fugue (full documentary) Read More »
Frankie Animal are an exciting new band based in Tallinn, demonstrating their love of folk alongside some funked-up rock. They are causing quite a stir in Estonia thanks to the uniqueness of their sound, great musicianship and a distinctive powerful vocalist in Marie Vaigla. The Uus Maailm festival in the middle of Tallinn is a
Frankie Animal – old enough and good enough Read More »
You’re a young Estonian singer who wants to break out of your comfort zone. What challenge is greater than breaking into the London music scene? But that’s exactly what Liis Hirvoja, the Estonian singer in the British band POCA, decided to do. “I was in a choir for years and years — the Estonian Children’s Choir,” Liis
Liis Hirvoja from POCA: Estonian heart, London soul (video) Read More »
