Records available
CD canto:). Hortus Musicus
DVD In the Mystical Land of Kaydara. Peeter Vähi
DVD Coppélia. A ballet by Léo Delibes
CD-series Great Maestros. Beethoven, Brahms. Kalle Randalu, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
CD Quarter of a Century with Friends. Arsis, Rémi Boucher, Oliver Kuusik, Rauno Elp
Super Audio CD Maria Magdalena. Sevara Nazarkhan, Riga Dom Cathedral Boys Choir, State Choir Latvija, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra
LP Contra aut pro? Toomas Velmet, Neeme Järvi, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Arvo Pärt
GLASPERLENSPIEL MUSIC FESTIVAL
ARCHIVES
A joint project of ERP and the City of Tartu. The music festival Glasperlenspiel (in English ‘The Glass Bead Game’) directed by Peeter Vähi has got its inspiration from the novel by Hermann Hesse. It is certainly a leading musical event in Estonian summer where music lovers can enjoy performers like Australian Chamber Orchestra, Süd-West Rundfunk Symphony Orchestra, Tōkyō Philharmonic Chorus, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Quintet of Berliner Philharmoniker, Gidon Kremer, Vadim Repin, Piotr Anderszewski, Olli Mustonen, Kristjan Järvi, Paavo Järvi, Roy Goodman, Christoph Eschenbach, etc.
Glasperlenspiel (the former Pärnu Town Hall Music Festival) was born in summer 1996, when the first festival was organized on the initiative of Pärnu City Government and Eesti Kontsert, the National Concert Institute of Estonia. From its very beginning the artistic director of this festival is Peeter Vähi, a composer and concert producer. As a chamber music festival it has – due to its high artistic level and good timing – established its status in the Estonian festival tradition. Likewise, the high quality and the extraordinary programs of the festival has often been acknowledged on the international level.
GLASPERLENSPIEL 2004
Fri 9 Jul at 4 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
Press conference
Fri 9 Jul at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
REQUIEM. DVOŘÁK – 100
Estonian National Opera symphony orchestra and choir, Vanemuine Theatre choir, Pille Lill (soprano), Tiina Penttinen (mezzo soprano, Finland), Mati Turi (tenor), Ain Anger (basso), conductor Eri Klas
Requiem by Antonín Leopold Dvořák is one of the most pompous pages in the world’s history of music, being a triumphant work from its very première at the Birmingham festival until today. As 2004 marks 100 years from the composer’s death, his Requiem is possibly the most suitable work for a worthy start of Glasperlenspiel festival.
Press resonance
Thu 22 Jul at 7 pm Crossing of the Rüütli and Nikolai Streets, Pärnu
Sun 25 Jul at 6 pm Open Air Stage of Kuressaare park (in co-operation with Kuressaare Summer Music)
Percussion ensemble “PAUKENFEST”
With powerful sounds of percussion we declare Glasperlenspiel festival open. A happening-like concert. Première of a work (titled “The Glass Bead Game”, dedicated to the festival Glasperlenspiel 2004) by Ülo Krigul as well as famous percussion classics. A procession accompanied by Steve Reich’s “Clapping Music” takes us then to Pärnu Concert House.
Press resonance
Thu 22 Jul at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
Fri 23 Jul at 7 pm St Nicholas’ church
THE SEVEN LAST WORDS ON THE CROSS
Chamber orchestra Opus Posth (Moscow), Tatiana Grindenko (violin), Tatiana Yan (painter)
Joseph Haydn’s instrumental work consisting of seven movements is based on the seven last words uttered by Jesus Christ on the cross. Despite its length and emotional tension the composition is a perfect example of simplicity and deep wisdom. The media has called Opus Posth’s interpretation of this work contemporary of Haydn. A new dimension to the concert is added by paintings specially created for the performance.
The Seven Last Words Of Our Saviour On The Cross / Opus Posth, mp3
Sun 25 Jul at 8 pm Kanuti Guild, Tallinn
HOMMAGE Á REMME
An obeisance to the late multi-media composer Rauno Remme. The program contains electroacoustic music by Remme, Stockhausen, Cage, Tüür, Sumera, Tally and Kõlar woven into a single pattern by video, light and texts.
Tue 27 Jul at 8 pm
Pärnu Concert Hall
TABULA RASA
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
Conductor Tõnu Kaljuste
The best example of Arvo Pärt’s tintinnabuli-style – “Tabula Rasa” will be presented as well as “Carlo” by the renowned Australian composer Brett Dean, the latter being based on the story of probably the most criminal person in the world Carlo Gesulado da Venosa.
Tue 27 Jul at 7 pm St Nicholas’ church
Wed 28 Jul at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
Thu 29 Jul at 8 pm Salem Church, Tartu
RUSSIAN “ETHNO-BAROQUE”
Ensemble Musica Antiqua Russica (Saint Petersburg)
We zoom in on the Saint Petersburg of the 18th cent – the place where West-European culture and the soul of ancient Russia meet and fascinating cultural ties can be detected. Music by the Tsar’s court musicians Khandoshkin, Trutovsky, Dubyansky, Golubetz and Lvov, also Russian folk tunes are being performed.
Press resonance
Thu 29 Jul at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
DIDGERIDOO-CONCERT
Pärnu City Orchestra, William Barton (didgeridoo, Australia), Malcolm Stewart (violin, UK), conductor Nils Schweckendiek (Germany / UK)
The international career of the super-successful didgeridoo player William Barton – musician-in-residence at the Queensland Symphony Orchestra – started with his performances of Peter Sculphore’s (Australia) “Earth Cry” and Philip Barcanini’s (Australia) “Dance Gundah”, both of them also included in the program of the Glasperlenspiel festival. Barton’s aim has been to bring the 2000-year-old aboriginal instrument onto the concert stages of the world.
Press resonance
This prestigious concert hosted by the Glasperlenspiel Music Festival signifies strong artistic bonds between Australia and Estonia and is especially dedicated to the indigenous people of Australia in an harmonious symphony of traditional Songlines which connect the people of, not only, Australia and Estonia but of the wider world. Didgeridoo and symphony orchestra will take you on a musical journey through time and space reflecting the connection between the elements of the Earth and the soul of the entire Human Race. Through the spirit of music, this performances signifies a movement forward, a concert of gathering and blending together of the traditions of Australian Aboriginal Music and that of the Classical Symphony.
William Barton, didgeridoo virtuoso
Queensland – Australia, May 2004
UPBEAT – 5
Five years of the Nordic-Baltic project, introducing new generation of best young musicians
Tue 10 Aug at 7 pm St Nicholas’ church
Mindaugas Backus (cello, Lithuania), Daumantas Kirilauskas (piano, Lithuania)
Wed 11 Aug at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
Age Juurikas (piano), Mihkel Mattisen (piano)
Mindaugas Backus (cello, Lithuania), Daumantas Kirilauskas (piano, Lithuania)
Ravel, Debussy
Wed 11 Aug at 7 pm St Nicholas’ church
Thu 12 Aug at 8 pm Botanical Garden of Tartu University
ENSEMBLE POING (Norway): Frode Haltli (accordion), Rolf-Erik Nystrøm (saxophone), Håkon Thelin (double bass)
Tsurumi, Piazzolla, Hagen, improvisations, Norwegian folk music
Thu 12 Aug at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
Fri 13 Aug at 7 pm St Nicholas’ church
OSKAR EKBERG (piano, Sweden)
Ensemble ALTERA VERITAS (Latvia): Ieva Lapiņa (cocle), Anda Zaborovska (cocle), Andis Klučnieks (flute)
Fri 13 Aug at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
NEW TALLINN TRIO: Harry Traksmann (violin), Kaido Kelder (cello), Marrit Gerretz-Traksmann (piano)
Ensemble POING (Norway): Frode Haltli (accordion), Rolf-Erik Nystrøm (saxophone), Håkon Thelin (double bass)
Tsurumi, Piazzolla, Hagen, improvisations, Norwegian folk music, Tulve, Tüür, Kõrvits (première), Tally (première)
Press resonance
Sat 14 Aug at 8 pm Estonia Concert Hall
EUROPEAN UNION YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Conductor Paavo Järvi
Bruckner, Tüür
The 140-member XXL-orchestra has by today secured its place in the cultural landscape of Europe. The final polish to the orchestra has been given by Claudio Abbado, Daniel Barenboim, Leonard Bernstein, Sir Colin Davis, Herbert von Karajan, Zubin Mehta, Mstislav Rostropovich, Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, Kurt Sanderling, Sir Georg Solti. That row will now be completed by the new Grammy Award winner Paavo Järvi. Live recording for DVD.
Press resonance
Mon 16 Aug at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
Tue 17 Aug at 7 pm Tallinn Dome church
LUX OCCIDENTALIS. Arvo Pärt and Early Music
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Christopher Bowers-Broadbent (organ, UK), conductor Paul Hillier
The red thread in “Lux Occidentalis” is formed by Arvo Pärt’s music, which is entwined by the works of composers who have given inspiration for his tintinnabuli-style. The performers’ triad – Paul Hillier, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Christopher Bowers-Broadbent – can certainly be called Pärt’s personal musicians whom the composer has entrusted with numerous première performances and recordings of his works.
Press resonance
Wed 18 Aug at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
ROMEO & JULIET
European Union Youth Orchestra
Vadim Repin (violin, Russia)
Conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier (France)
Messiaen, Brahms, Prokofiev
Hailed today as one of the most exciting conductors to emerge from France, Yan Pascal Tortelier has been principal conductor of the BBC Philharmonic since July 1992. Vadim Repin is one of the most talented young violinists in the world today. He performs on the magnificent Stradivarius “Ruby” (1708).
Video “Glasperlenspiel 2004”
Audio “Glasperlenspiel 2004” (in Estonian)
GLASPERLENSPIEL ’03
From Jul 22 to Aug 24, 2003
Tue, Jul 22 at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
Wed, Jul 23 at 8 pm Kanuti Guild, Tallinn
A WOMAN’S SONG: THE STORY OF RORO MENDUT
Ensemble “Gamelan Son of Lion” (New York)
A multimedia show. Javanese and Balinese traditional tunes as well as music by Lisa Karrer; installations by Kate Yourke; Ayu Armini & Dewi Castillo (Balinese dance); text by Walt Whiteman and an Indonesian poet Sitor Situmorang. Gamelan music, elements of shadow and puppet theatre.
Fri, Jul 28 at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
SUNSET WITH RAKHMANINOV
Vardo Rumessen (piano)
An obeisance to the coryphaeus of Russian music Sergei Rachmaninov whose 130 years’ anniversary will be celebrated in 2003. Rakhmaninov’s piano style is inspired by the sound world of the Orthodox Church with its chimes and chorals, its twilight zone of being and not being.
Tue, Jul 29 at 8 pm St Nicholas’ church
Wed, Jul 30 at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
THE TEMPLE OF FIRE DRUM
Sevara Nazarkhan (vocal, Tashkent), Mark Pekarski’s percussion duo (Moscow), Girls’ Choir “Ellerhein”, conductor Tiia-Ester Loitme
Terry Riley “Persian Surgery Dervishes” for organ and percussion, Peeter Vähi Cantata “Green Tārā”
Two western composers have been inspired by the philosophy and religion of the East. Persian culture, Islamic esoteric sufism as well as mystical traveling hermits are at the centre of Riley’s attention. Vähi has composed his cantata in Tibetan and Sanskrit languages on the basis of a holy tantric ritual dedicated to the saviour goddess Green Tārā.
Green Tārā, fragm, 107 sec, 8mp3, 34 KB
Wed, August 6 at 8 pm Town-hall square, Tartu
BELLS’ SHOW
English handbell ensemble “Arsis”, folk ensemble “Väike Hellero”, the chimes of Town Hall, the chimes of St Paul, St John, St Peter and other churches, conductor Aivar Mäe
Estonian archaic and sacred folk-songs arranged by Tõnu Kõrvits. Presentation of the new CD “Awake, My Heart!” by “Arsis”.
Nowadays several young Estonian composers have again got fresh inspiration from old folk songs intermingling them into the means of rock and modern classical music as well as the facilities of contemporary acoustic and video technology. At the current program Tõnu Kõrvits has arranged old folk tunes for English handbells using different means of harmony – polyphonic development (Whoops And Calls), cluster accords (Grow Into Shepherd), modern harmony of pop music (Come, Little Coddy).
Tue, Aug 12 at 8 pm Estonia Concert Hall
Wed, Aug 13 at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
TAIPEI PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA (Taiwan)
Soloist: Yeh Lina (piano, Taiwan)
Conductor: Lin Tien-chi (Taiwan)
Program: Penderecki - “Threnos” for the Victims of Hiroshima, Kuo - Concertino for piano and strings, Beethoven - Symphony No 7
The first sound of the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra in Boston Symphony Hall was electrifying. (Boston Globe, 10.19.95, USA)
The ensemble plays with precision and unity. the orchestra is of considerable quality. This composer (Henry Mazer) made Schubert come alive and touch our hearts again. (Wien – Kurier, 18.06.93, Austria)
Mazer and his musicians are totally committed. Mazer deserves special credit for his ensemble’s wonderful sound; a rich, romantic singing that was intensified by the acoustic of UBC’s hall. (The Vancouver Sun, 21.07.90, Canada)
Mon, Aug 11 at 7 pm St Michael’s church, Jõhvi
Tue, Aug 12 at 8 pm Vanemuine Concert Hall, Tartu
Sat, Aug 16 at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
Sun, Aug 17 at 8 pm House of Blackheads, Tallinn
MANDOLINISSIMO
Wuppertal Mandoline-Concert Orchestra
Boris Björn-Bagger (guitar, Germany)
Conductor-soloist Detlef Tewes (Germany)
Thu, Aug 14 at 8 pm Vanemuine Concert Hall
Fri, Aug 15 at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
BACH IN THE MIRROR
Ines Maidre (organ) & Ricardi Odriozola (violin, Spain)
Co-starring Prima balerina of the Estonian National Opera Kaie Kõrb
There are numerous examples in the works by Bach where he reincarnates his music using the same theme, form and affect in composition for different instrumental staff. The cases where Bach’s music for violin reflects back in the organ version are not few. “A Mirror In The Mirror” by Arvo Pärt is the key composition for opening the program where the instruments meet.
Mon, Aug 18 at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
Tue, Aug 19 at 8 pm St John’s church, Tallinn
EUROPEAN UNION CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Maximiliano Martin (clarinet), Knut Zimmermann (conductor, violin)
Vivaldi, Mozart, Bach, Bruckner, Britten, Weber, Grieg
A musical ambassador of European Union whose performances have been accompanied by worldwide success. Many outstanding musicians (Cyprien Katsaris, James Galway, Mischa Maisky, Igor Oistrakh) have participated in the programs of EUCO. The patron of the orchestra is HRH Queen of Spain Sofia.
Thu, Aug 21 at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
MUSIC FOR LEFT HAND
Pianists: Yumi Kimchi (Japan), Anna Soyeon Cho (South-Korea), Hanna Heinmaa, Gonzalo Paredes Campos (Chile)
Pärnu City Orchestra, conductor Jüri Alperten
Piano concertos by Martinu, Prokofiev, Britten, and Ravel
Modern psychology has proved that composers creating piano music for left hand are by themselves also “a bit to the left”. Let us try and find these common features and deviations in the music by Martinu, Ravel, Prokofjev and Britten. The soloists are from among the créme de la créme of Cologne Music High-school students taught by Prof Arbo Valdma.
Fri, Aug 22 at 8 pm Estonia Concert Hall, Tallinn
Sun, Aug 24 at 8 pm Pärnu Concert Hall
PHENOMENAL 1953
Eespere / Mustonen / Mägi / Rannap – 50
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, soloist Rein Rannap (piano)
Conductors Andres Mustonen, Paul Mägi
Program: Ravel, Gershwin, Rannap, Eespere
At certain time and in certain places an extraordinarily big number of talented people are born. Is it a coincidence or Higher Predestination?
Germany, 1685: the great man of Roccoco architecture Knöffel, an innovator of construction art Zimmermann, the pride of magnificent painting collections Denner, the coryphaeus of landscape painting Thiele, the Baroque master Handel and the Great Master Bach. Estonia, autumn 1953: composer René Eespere, concert producer Madis Kolk, violinist and conductor Andres Mustonen, conductor Paul Mägi, pianist and composer Rein Rannap, conductor Tõnu Kaljuste.
Glasperlenspiel, Glasperlenspiel 2013, Glasperlenspiel 2012, Glasperlenspiel 2011, Glasperlenspiel on Facebook, Glasperlenspiel 2010, Glasperlenspiel 2009, Glasperlenspiel 2008, Glasperlenspiel 2007, Glasperlenspiel 2006, Glasperlenspiel 2005
animated symbols of Glasperlenspiel