The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC) and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra (TCO) will give five concerts from 19th to 25th of November in Peoples Republic of China. During the concerts some of the most beloved works of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt will be brought to the Chinese audiences, conducted by Risto Joost.

The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra will perform five concerts in Beijing, Wuhan, Changsha and Shanghai from 19th to 25th of November with a program by beloved and renown Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, including his masterpieces like “Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten”, “Fratres”, “Te Deum” and “Adam’s Lament.” The choir and the orchestra is conducted by the Artistic Director of the Tallinn Philharmonic Society and Principal Conductor of theTallinn Chamber Orchestra Risto Joost.

According to the Ambassador of People’s Republic of China to Estonia, H.E. Mr Qu Zhe, Estonian music and artists are highly valued in China and the forthcoming concerts of the two of the World’s most renowned interpreters of Arvo Pärt’s music, the EPCC and the TCO, is very much anticipated by the  Chinese audiences. Mr Ambassador emphasized, that music is a universal language, that has no borders and Arvo Pärt’s music has a special place also in the hearts of Chinese music-lovers, which will play a role in promoting mutual understanding between Chinese and Estonian people. The Ambassador congratulated the Tallinn City Government on the achievements made between the city and the Chinese capital city Beijing. “This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Estonia. It is also the Year of People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges under the framework of China and Central and Eastern European Countries. The visit by the Acting Mayor Taavi Aas and Deputy Mayor Mihhail Kõlvart, together with the world-class chamber choir and orchestra, is exactly at the right time”, Mr Ambassador added.

The Deputy Mayor of the Tallinn City Government Mr Mihhail Kõlvart considers the forthcoming tour as a token of remarkable appreciation from Chinese music-scene to both Estonian music and musicians since the initiation for this tour originated from the Chinese partner to introduce especially Arvo Pärt´s music to Chinese audiences by the EPCC and the TCO. “Tallinn Chamber Orchestra visited China in 2014 and the huge positive response they got then has been the basis of creating this new tour,” said Kõlvart. “Risto Joost has only recently been awarded by the Estonian Music Council as the best ambassador of Estonian music in the World, it is only appropriate, that exactly this musical entity will be bringing Estonian music to wider audiences,” added he.

The Principal Conductor of the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Tallinn Philharmonic Society Risto Joost pointed out that “Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten” and “Fratres” are most frequently played instrumental pieces in the world by Pärt and “Te Deum” and “Adam’s Lament” represent Pärt’s writing for choir and orchestra in the best possible way. “This repertoire has brought together the TCO & the EPCC on different stages all around the world since the creation of those masterpieces. It is still always a challenge even for us to perform Arvo Pärt’s music in a satisfying way since the demands for the performers are extremely high in every aspect of music,” added Joost.

 

Additional information:

 

Sven Ratassepp
Tallinn Philharmonic Society
Ph: +372 506 4911
Email: press@filharmoonia.ee
www.filharmoonia.ee