Year 2020: Collegium Musicale had 28 concerts, including 5 world premieres
Despite the situation caused by the pandemic the top Estonian chamber choir Collegium Musicale gave a total of 28 concerts in 2020, including five world premieres.
“In a sense, all our new works were characterized by the desire to live in a better and more beautiful world – a world where there is no place for violence and where love and being human have a special meaning,” said conductor Endrik Üksvärav.
A total of three hours of new music by Estonian composers was premiered, and all five works were commissioned with their own theme and meaning. In addition, the choir recorded music by Veljo Tormis and Olav Ehala in the summer, for which videos were also made – this is how the choir celebrated the composers’ anniversaries. In September, the choir had the opportunity to give concerts with the world-renowned Rascher Saxophone Quartet as part of the Nargen Festival Arvo Pärt Days, with whom the settings of Arvo Pärt’s music for saxophone quartet and choir were premiered. The last month of the year brought Pärt Uusberg’s author’s concert and Christmas concert in Kärdla with the Hiiumaa Chamber Orchestra.
“Despite the fact that we missed 25 concerts this year, including the concert in Carnegie Hall in New York, where Erkki-Sven Tüür’s” Missa brevis ” U.S. premier was planned, it is a great pleasure that the other 28 concerts took place,” said the conductor Endrik Üksvärav. “In addition to uncertainty, it has also been a year of cooperation and adjustment, and perhaps therefore every concert that really took place seemed really special!”
World premiers commissioned and performed by Collegium Musicale in 2020:
Gerta Raidma “And we are made of light …” – June 14, 2020, in Tallinn
Erkki-Sven Tüür „Canticum Canticorum Caritatis“ – August 8, Kärdla
Maria Faust “Mary’s Mass” – August 22, Tallinn
Timo Steiner “Song of Spiritual Courage” – October 3, Tallinn
Erki Pärnoja “Anima mea” – November 7, Tallinn
Videod:
Estonian composer Olav Ehala 70 – Vaid see on armastus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11Gkt7fjFa0&t=14s
Estonian composer Veljo Tormis 90 – Raua needmine / Curse Upon Iron
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgi3TqOFgS4
Estonian composer Arvo Pärt 85
Pärt Uusberg’s concert “Armastuse ülemlaul”/ “Song of Songs”
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