The Estonian National Broadcasting and the Arvo Pärt Centre have released a new album with Arvo Pärt’s music for children. Entitled “Songs from Childhood”, the album introduces a selection of children’s songs and piano pieces composed by Pärt for plays and animations between 1956 and 1970, with many previously unreleased pieces. The recording of the […]
Arvo Pärt’s music for children released Read More »
Estonian conductor Paavo Järvi has been voted by the public as “Artist of the Year”, a title given at the Gramophone Classical Music Awards. The award, presented by the Gramophone classical music magazine since 1977, was announced at the Gramophone annual awards ceremony on 17 September in London. “One of the most sought-after conductors of today, and
Conductor Paavo Järvi crowned “Artist of the Year” Read More »
A new documentary, produced by Accentus Music and directed by German film director Günter Atteln, follows composer Arvo Pärt over a one-year period in his native Estonia, as well as to Japan, Germany, Italy and Vatican. “He is the most-performed contemporary composer in the world. And yet he rarely ventures out in public, prefers to
“The Lost Paradise” – a new film about Arvo Pärt to be released in September Read More »
Veljo Tormis, regarded as one of the greatest living choral music writers and one of the most important composers of the 20th century in Estonia, celebrates his 85th birthday on 7 August. Tormis‘s contribution to the Estonian choral tradition and to choral music worldwide is invaluable. One can say he has created a choral tradition of his
Veljo Tormis, one of the choral music greats, celebrates 85th birthday Read More »
Is it actually possible to talk about Estonian music? Especially the whole of Estonian music, without distinguishing between high and low, classical and lighter styles, individual aspirations in different directions that have started to bear fruit and gather recognition in the world? The Estonian Institute has made an attempt in a new booklet, “The World
Brief history of the Estonian music scene Read More »
In mid-June, the president of the Republic of Austria, Heinz Fischer, ceremonially presented the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art, Austria’s highest decoration for remarkable services in this field of activity, to the Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt. The decoration has been awarded since 1955, and the fact that the number of its recipients is strictly
Arvo Pärt awarded the Austrian decoration for science and art Read More »
The summer is full of events and concerts in Estonia. If you are visiting the country and only have a limited time, then culture.ee has made it easier to choose from by listing a number of must-attend events. Compiled by Katrin Tombak I 19 July – The final concert of the Pärnu Music Festival The Pärnu festival orchestra
Five Estonian summer concerts to keep an eye on Read More »
The Estonian Music Development Centre and the Estonian Embassy in London organised an event in Cardiff, Wales, for introducing Estonian classical music to the UK market and developing contacts. At the event, preliminary agreements were signed for commissioning Estonian musical compositions and bringing musical performing groups to the UK. The event, entitled “Estonia – A
Wales gets a taste of Estonian classical music Read More »
In early May, the message of the Estonian Year of Music 2015 arrived in the Netherlands. The European Choir of Estonians, the Haaslava Male Voice Choir, the Chamber Choir “Pur sang” and the Dutch Estonian Choir performed a diverse selection of Estonian choral music at the Amstel church in the heart of Amsterdam. A two-part
The power of Estonian song in Amsterdam Read More »
As the world celebrates its most performed living composer, Arvo Pärt’s 80th jubilee this year, an equally influential artist, Robert Wilson, is paying his homage with a special production in Tallinn. Estonian composer Arvo Pärt and American theatre visionary Robert Wilson will come together for a new creation of modern music theatre titled “Adam’s Passion”.
