The two central themes of this year’s festival “Soul and Spirit” place different emphases in the concerts of Tallinn and Tartu which at the same time complement each other and create a common whole. The artistic vision is shaped by composers Helena Tulve and Timo Steiner. Programme in Tartu is curated by the chairman of the Estonian Composers’ Union, composer Märt-Matis Lill.
Timo Steiner: “In my opinion, this year’s theme “Soul and Spirit” goes with music very naturally. We expect music to give us some special breath, soul movement, mental clarity, strength and freshness.”
Helena Tulve further elaborates: “Music is part of being human, just like breathing. It often seems that there is nothing simpler and more self-explanatory than breathing, however, when we start focusing on ourselves, it may turn out that there is a long way to deep breathing. One of the goals of the Estonian Music Days is to give an opportunity to focus and take a breather with music, musicians, and music lovers.”
The festival will feature world premieres by the following composers: Tatjana Kozlova-Johannes, Evelin Seppar, Maria Rostovtseva, Tauno Aints, Lauri Jõeleht, Mariliis Valkonen, Jonas Tarm, Kristo Klaus, Marianna Liik, Ekke Västrik, Sander Saarmets, Age Veeroos, Jüri Tamverk, Malle Maltis, Arash Yazdani, Margo Kõlar, Liisa Hirsch, Märt-Matis Lill, Ülo Krigul, Liina Sumera. In addition, new works by students of the composition department of EAMT will be presented.
 String Quartet M4GNET. Photo: Veljo Poom |
Music will be performed by well-known ensembles and collectives: Ensemble for New Music Tallinn, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, String Quartet M4GNET, Oja/Krigul/Metsvahi/Sumera, Bagpipe Orchestra, Ensemble U:, EAMT Sinfonietta, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and others.
The concerts take place in Tallinn, Tartu and Laulasmaa, and can also be partially listened on Klassikararadio and EMP TV on the festival’s website.
“Well-known musicians and composers may sometimes have a secret longing to work with an unusual instrument or musical expression. The concert programmes of the Bagpipe Orchestra and Tarmo Johannes have ignited from these hobbies and the unexpected new sides of our long-time friends will be revealed. Also, a concert where voice and percussion come together has been spurred by the mutual desire of the performers to make music together,” adds Helena Tulve about the programme.
Märt-Matis Lill, artistic director of the Tartu programme: “The part of this year’s festival in Tartu is also an introduction to next year’s festival, which for the first time will take place entirely in Tartu. The programme will include topics already familiar to Estonian Music Days Tartu audience, including mind-opening events in the urban space as well as in-depth discussion circles. We are certainly expecting all music lovers to come to Tartu because on this occasion, this time, the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir will give a concert only in Tartu.”
 Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. Photo: Rene Jakobson |
Next to the concerts, the audience can also expect lectures and discussions. Two important music composition competitions will continue with the prize fund which has been set up by LHV. Entries to the “Young Composer 2023” competition can be submitted until March 26. The laureate of the “LHV New Music Award 2023” will be announced on April 28 at the ENSO concert in Estonia Concert Hall.
The Estonian Music Days 2023 programme: eestimuusikapaevad.ee
Tickets can be purchased at Fienta.