Beethoven Academie - Vlaams Radio Koor - Tönu Kaljuste

For this programme the Beethoven Academy and the Flemish Radio Chorus have opted decisively for Estonian music. And to perform it they have engaged Tõnu Kaljuste, conductor of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and of the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, who is the specialist in this music. Heino Eller (1887-1970) was one of the most significant composers of his country: students of this legendary teacher of composition in Tallinn have included Arvo Pärt and Jaan Rääts. Two of Eller's compositions for strings will be performed in Belgium for the first time. The best-known Estonian composer of the younger generation is undoubtedly Erkki-Sven Tüür (b. 1959). He was originally a rock musician and studied under Jaan Rääts in Tallinn. His work is mainly instrumental. One exception to this is his vocal 'Requiem', composed in 1994, an odd mixture of atonal and opulent romantic music. These Estonian works are complemented by the first performance of the orchestral version of Wim Henderickx' 'Five songs with Estonian Lyrics'. The soloist is the brilliant Finnish soprano and opera star Anu Komsi.