Happy New Year!

Happy New Year all! It has been an amazing sabbatical so far in Estonia.  Tallinn, the capital city and the cultural center of the country, is rich in the arts.  I am lucky to be just two blocks from the heart of the city and the Estonian Concert Hall and Opera House where I have seen so many incredible concerts! 

Here is a picture of the opera/ballet calendar for the month of January. It is packed full of standards in the repertoire!

Coming up in February is a production of ‘Liblikas’ (Butterfly) an opera in two acts, written by my colleague and friend, Tõnu Kõrvits. His works are gaining international attention.  In the state of Washington, our own Justin Raffa and the Mid-Columbia Mastersingers are performing Kõrvits’ work for choir and strings, ‘Kreegi Vihik’ (Kreek’s Notebook) January 12, 2014! 

To give you a taste of what I have heard in concert during the last two months, peruse the list below:

Bach – Christmas Oratorio

Britten – War Requiem

Britten – Ceremony of Carols
Britten – Missa Brevis
Britten – Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Purcell, 0p. 34
Elgar – Cello Concerto E Minor, Op.85
René Eespere (Estonian composer) – chamber music
Gregorian Chant and Organum - Vox Clamantis & Schola Santae Sunnivae
Handel - Messiah
Tõnu Kõrvits – Kreek’s Notebook
Mozart – Solemn Vespers, KV339
Music for Children’s Choir, Mixed Choir, and Girls’ Choir – Tallinna Muusikakeskkooli Kooride
Music for Girls’ Choir – Tütarlastekoor Ellerhein
Music for Boys’ Choir –Rahvusooper Estonia Poistekoor
Music for Women’s Choir (various Estonian composers) – Sireen Women’s Choir
Music for Saxophone and Organ (various Estonian composers) – Virgo Veldi, sax; Ulla Krigul, organ.
Monteverdi – Magnificat a 6
Lepo Sumera (Estonian composer) – chamber music
Saint-Saëns - Organ Symphony, no. 3, op. 78
Stockhausen – Herbstmusik