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EESTI ELU reedel, 10. juunil 2022 — Friday, June 10, 2022
Collegium Musicale delivers emotional and heartwarming concerts to local audiences Kati Kiilaspea “Music is food for the soul,” a phrase that we all have heard time and time again, and that was brought to the forefront in the minds of many through the ethereal performances of Collegium Musicale during their recent mini-concert tour. Three shows, each unique in their own ways, took place over the course of the last week of May and first week of June in various cities; the first in Toronto, the second in Hamilton, and the last in Ottawa. Attendees were teeming with energy and a renewed positivity at the chance to hear live music once again after a long hiatus. A quick summary of Collegium
Musicale (CM): CM is a re nowned chamber choir that focuses on high-level perfor mances of specifically Estonian early and contemporary music, conducted by tenor and musi cian Endrik Üksvärav. If you’re inclined to learn more, an article by Vincent Teetsov in EE #17 / 2022 provides a detailed overview. The tour began with a won derful first concert, as part of the Sing! Vocal Festival, at Trinity St. Paul’s United Church, focusing on a hark back to the roots and beginning of Baltic music and cultures through the performance of Veljo Tormis’ magnum opus
Report from the 4th virtual conference of CanadianEstonian organizations Erik Kõvamees On Sunday, May 1st, 2022, the Estonian Central Council in Canada (ECC) hosted the 4th overall virtual conference for Canadian-Estonian orga nizations, with participants joining from Estonia and various locations across Canada. The event was held over the Zoom platform in both Estonian and English languages, and offered the opportunity for individuals and groups to become acquainted with the latest developments regarding the so-called Global Estonia pro gram, as well as get to know and participate in discussion with other Estonian organiza tions and their members found in Canada. The official program began with an opening statement from Kairi Taul Hemingway, Presi dent of the ECC, who reiterated the purpose of the conference, and continued with Toomas Lukk, the Estonian Ambassador to Canada. Reet Marten Sehr, Vice-President of the ECC, and Marcus Kolga, President Emeritus of the ECC and the current President of the Central and Eastern European Council in Canada (CEEC), followed as the next speakers. Amongst other things, Lukk and Sehr both commented on the impor tance of Estonia-Canada rela tions, while Lukk and Kolga discussed various aspects of the current Ukrainian situation. Kolga also described the dif ferent ways in which the CEEC has helped support Ukraine and Ukrainians. The next three presenters were all involved in the Global Estonia program and spoke on its behalf: Kadri Linnas,
Adviser in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia; Keit Spiegel, also Adviser in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia; and Tarmo Saks, Administrator of the Global Estonian website. To begin, Linnas brought it to everyone’s attention that the terminology of üleilmne eestlus is now preferred over that of väliseestlus, and that the latter is currently being reserved for historical usage, for example, in discussions pertaining to the Estonian escapees, artworks, publications, and so on, which were more or less the direct products of the events of World War II. Since the Estonian diaspora has transformed in fundamental ways, Linnas noted, there is the subsequent need to change how it is spoken about, too. Thereafter, Spiegel gave a brief overview of the history and objectives of the Global Estonia project. She demonstra ted that the “Global Estonian diaspora action plan 20222025” is based on what she referred to as three pillars. The first pillar involves helping Estonians located outside of Estonia carry on and also de velop the Estonian identity, which includes encouraging participation in Estonian social and cultural life in Canada and other areas abroad. Conse quently, people who support and value Estonia outside of the country proper will play a role in shaping a positive image of Estonia in the wider world, introducing its culture, promot ing its economy, and influencing its international relations (diplo macy). (To be continued) This article appears in its entirety on the Eesti Elu online site at eestielu.ca.
Endrik Üksvärav. Photo: Peeter Põldre
“Forgotten Peoples.” To give a bit of context, “Forgotten Peoples” was written between 1970–89, at a time when small er Balto-Finnic nations were quick ly dying out; this piece was Tormis’ way of giving each of them a voice. It’s composed of six cycles, each representing one of the disappearing nations: Livonians, Votians, Izhorians, Ingrian Finns, Vespians, and Karelians. The choir took us on an other wordly journey through these cultures, reflected within the smooth passing of melodic and rhythmic lines from singer to singer, from section to section, creating a near-transcendent experience. Their voices trans ported us into a picturesque world in which the listener could see what each of these nations had experienced and lived through. It was a touching performance that the audience left carrying in their souls. The overarching theme of storytelling and transcendence carried through on the second night at another historic venue, the Cotton Factory in Hamilton. Joining the choir were the renowned Hamilton Philhar monic Orchestra (a co-organizer for the event) and rising piano virtuoso Erik Kreem. Each of the venues have quite a lot of historical significance, contri buting to the feeling of a hark back to and connection with our roots through the unique journey that CM took us on. This per formance had a unique element of tranquility to it, a reverence and holiness that blanketed the audience as soon as the lights dimmed and the voices rang out. Both choir members and conductor commented on this unique feeling and connection between the audience and them selves, Üksvärav saying he was quite taken aback in the best way possible by the extraordi nary atmosphere and mention ing it had thoroughly touched his soul. Veljo Tormis’ “Lauliku lapsepõli” continued the theme of storytelling, reflected within the cyclical form of the piece and presenting a beautiful example of the Estonian language. Erkki Sven Tüür’s “For Ukraine” was a fitting addition to the night’s pro gramme, based on a Ukrainian biblical text and serving as a reminder to persevere in the fight for Ukraine and in our ongoing support efforts. Contri buting to this was the Ukrainian
A generous Canadian family directed their donation to EERO to support the Tallinn – Odessa Classics Festival, the Pärnu Music Festival in July and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (ENSO, but most often called ERSO). As the world transitions from a pandemic to an economy impacted by the war, it is important to support numer ous communities. Music is close to the heart and soul of Estonians and musicians have been impacted by these crises. This donation supports the classical music community, in particular Estonian classical music and especially musi cians. This spring Tallinn is hosting the Odessa Classics Festival, which features music by both Estonian and Ukrainian com posers and takes place in Tallinn, Tartu and Laulasmaa. The concerts include works by: Mozart, Pärt, Britten, Silvestrov, Bach, Schumann, Kosenko, Revutsky, Skoryk, Beethoven, Piazzolla, Bocchinni, Frank, Mägi and Lauridsen. You can listen to these concerts online May 31st to June 3rd at https:// erso.tv/landing/bc/pb_kPgRUjZ/ ui0eOdGhokJ. The Pärnu Music Festival began in 2011, where the world renowned conductor Paavo Järvi decided to create a new kind of orchestra – one which brings together hand-picked top international classical musicians with emerging talent from Estonia. This summer celebrates the reunion of the Järvi family after a three year hiatus. Neeme Järvi returns to Estonia to cele brate his 85th birthday and conducts the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra in the opening con cert; Paavo Järvi directs the Estonian Festival Orchestra in four concerts with guest soloists Joshua Bell, Stefan Dohr and Wayne Marshall; and the Baltic Sea Philharmonic under Frontline Photography Exhibit that was able to be viewed prior to the concert. Through Arvo Pärt’s “Salve Regina” to Tõnu Kõrvits’ “Stabat Mater” and culminating with Tüür’s “Re quiem,” a reverent state was created and the audience was brought into an almost medita tive state where it was easy to become lost in the music. An experience like that is rare, perhaps calling forth another overarching theme throughout; that contemplation and peace can occur and be found in both the light and in chaos and turmoil, just like the state of the world right now. It can easily be said that these concerts were a true success, both from the con cert-goers’ and from the orga nizers’ points of view. Feeding the souls of people through mu sic and giving them such unique experiences that will stay with them for a long time is a true marker of success. If readers
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the direction of Kristjan Järvi visits Pärnu for the first time. You can watch past performan ces online at https://parnumu sicfestival.tv/pmf#previous and this years festival performances (July 13- July 22) will be avail able online in July. Those travelling to Estonia in July may wish to see the concerts in person and tickets are already available, but limited due to covid restrictions. Celebrating its 100th anni versary in 2026, ERSO has become a prominent orchestral ambassador of Estonia abroad, powerfully increasing its inter national scope particularly in recent decades. Since the 2020/21 season, its Chief Con ductor and Artistic Director is Olari Elts. Neeme Järvi, the longest-serving chief conductor of ERSO, continues to co operate with the orchestra as an Honorary Artistic Director for Life and the Artistic Adviser of the orchestra is Paavo Järvi. The orchestra has won several prizes, including a Grammy Award for the recording of cantatas by Sibelius. In 2020, the orchestra launched its own channel – erso.tv, which you can watch online at https://erso. tv/erso. ERSO has had the honour to premiere symphonic pieces by almost every Estonian composer, including Arvo Pärt, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Jüri Reinvere and Eduard Tubin. Perhaps one day we will enjoy an ERSO concert in Canada. Until then, enjoy the music. MARI ANN TAMMARK
are inclined to read more about the experiences at the Ottawa concert, Ülle Baum’s article in this week’s paper (#23 / 2022) will discuss that in detail. VEMU and Estonian Music Week would like to thank co-presenters/organizers Hamil ton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cotton Factory and Sing! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival, the Estonian Foundation of Canada and the Estonian Embassy in Ottawa for their funding of this project, the Estonian Integration Foundation and Estonian Ministry of Culture for their support, and last but not least, our volunteers and teams with out who these events would also not have been possible. Stay tuned to VEMU’s and EMW’s socials for info about upcoming events and the latest news regarding Estonian music and culture!
