Pärt ja Tormis. Eesti Rahvusmeeskoor

Thu, 22 April at 19 Niguliste Museum 
Fri, 23 April at 19 Pärnu Concert Hall 

Pärt and Tormis. Estonian National Male Choir 
Estonian National Male Choir 
Conductor: Mikk Üleoja 

Programme: 
Tormis. „Tasase maa laul“ 
Pärt. „...which was the son of...“ 
Tormis. „Dialektilisi aforisme“ 
Pärt. „Zwei Beter“ 
Tormis. „Tõmbtuul“ 
Pärt. „...and one of the Pharisees...“ 
Tormis. „Hamleti laulud“ (I and II) 
Pärt. „The Deer's Cry“ 
Tormis. „Meie varjud“ 
Pärt. „Da pacem Domine“ 

In 2025, the global music community marked both Arvo Pärt's 90th birthday and the 95th anniversary of Veljo Tormis's birth. This program originated from a proposal by the Arvo Pärt Centre, which envisioned a dedicated performance showcasing these two distinct voices. Crafting such a repertoire posed a unique challenge, given that Pärt has written only a single a cappella piece specifically for male voices. To address this, Kuldar Schüts and Tauno Aints created three new male-choir arrangements of Pärt's existing choral works, commissioned by the ensemble and fully endorsed by the composer's family. Following successful performances at numerous summer festivals across Estonia, this music is now presented to audiences in Tallinn and Pärnu for the first time. 

The selection reveals surprising thematic links between two artistic visions that initially seem contrasting. A prime example is the pairing of Tormis’s „Tasase maa laul“ with Pärt’s „...which was the son of...“. While musically divergent, both reflect on ancestry and heritage. Tormis speaks of the flatlands where one is born, emphasizing a profound connection to the land and a specific nation. Pärt, meanwhile, utilizes a liturgical text tracing the lineage of Jesus back to Adam and ultimately to God, enumerating generations of forefathers. While the thematic essence remains aligned, the modes of expression differ. Several other compelling musical dialogues unfold throughout the evening. 

Duration: appr. 1 h 15 min (no intermission)