Baltic & Estonian Music Days: Pianist Sten Lassmann. Song of the Waves

05.May 2024, kell 19.00 – 20.30

Heino Elleri Muusikakooli Tubina saal

The acclaimed pianist Sten Lassmann's recital is dedicated to the compositions from the Baltics, both contemporary and from the fascinating past. Premieres will include two brand new works by Alo Põldmäe and Riho Esko Maimets, in addition to selected works from Latvian and Lithuanian composers. The programme also pays a tribute to the Estonian masters Mart Saar, Eduard Tubin, and Lepo Sumera.

The final evening of the Baltic & Estonian Music Days offers a compelling piano recital by the epitome of high-level and vigorous pianism – Sten Lassmann. This award-winning musician, a repeat laureate of the Estonian Cultural Endowment's annual award, artistic director of the international KLAVER festival, and esteemed educator, has brought his interpretations to world-class venues such as the Purcell Room (London), Glenn Gould Studio (Toronto), and Giuseppe Verdi Hall (Milan).

PROGRAMME:
Eduard Tubin (1905‒1982) ― Three Preludes
Riho Esko Maimets (b. 1988) ― Floating adagio (2024) PREMIERE
M.K. Čiurlionis (1875‒1911) ― Six Preludes op. 33 (1909)
Lepo Sumera (1950‒2000) ― Sonata (Dedicated to Peep Lassmann, 1971)
Mart Saar (1882‒1963) ― Skizze (1910)
M.K. Čiurlionis (1875‒1911) ― "The Sea", three pieces for piano op. 28 (1908)
Alo Põldmäe (b. 1945) ― "Solar Wind" (2024), premiere
Jāzeps Vītols (1863‒1948) ― "By the Sea" (from the cycle Three Remembrances op. 43 no. 1)
– "Moonlight" (two pieces op. 41)
– "Lullaby"
– "Song of the Waves"

Estonian Music Days is the most important continuously held contemporary music festival in Estonia. Over the decades it has become undeniably the most significant platform for Estonian composers, new musical creations, and artistic growth. What makes the festival unique is the abundance of premieres of Estonian composers' newly commissioned works.

In 2024 Tartu is the cultural capital of Europe. Therefore the festival Estonian Music Days will join forces with three neighboring countries to become a larger event that unites Baltic and Estonian Music Days. In addition to recognized Estonian ensembles and soloists, musicians from Latvia, Lithuania, and Finland are also expected.

The Festival Baltic and Estonian Music Days is a part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme