Tõnu Kõrvits
You are Light and Morning (Sei la luce e il mattino)
Orchestral
Choral
Sleeve notes in English.
Lyrics in original languages and in English translation.
Soloists: Marianne Pärna, alto (9); Leho Karin, cello; Hele-Mall Leego, soprano; Maarja Helstein, alto; Raul Mikson, tenor; Ott Kask, bass (6)
CD
Released:
October 2020
Catalogue No.:
ODE 1363-2
EAN/UPC Code:
0761195136324
New album by the award-winning Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir together with Tallinn Chamber Orchestra led by Risto Joost includes one of Tõnu Kõrvits’ (b. 1969) most recent works, You Are Light and Morning (Sei la luce e il mattino). Kõrvits, one of the most prominent Estonian composers of our time, has created an impressive 60-minute piece for choir and orchestra based on the poetry of 20th century Italian writer Cesare Pavese. The work was premiered by the choir and the orchestra under the baton of Risto Joost in Tallinn in June 2019 and was hailed by many as one of Kõrvits’ greatest achievements.
The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (the EPCC) is one of the best-known Estonian music ensembles in the world. The choir was founded in 1981 by Tõnu Kaljuste, who was its artistic director and chief conductor for twenty years. The repertoire of the choir extends from baroque to the music of the 21st century, with a special focus on the work of Estonian composers, such as Arvo Pärt, Veljo Tormis, Galina Grigorjeva, Tõnu Kõrvits and introducing their output to the world. The choir has won the Grammy Award twice and has received 15 Grammy nominations. Other awards include the Gramophone Award, the Diapason d’Or, and Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik.
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra (TCO) was founded in 1993 by conductor Tõnu Kaljuste. During the past three decades it has become one of Estonia’s signature orchestras and a welcome guest performer on numerous stages in Europe and all over the world. TCO has gained recognition for its artistically integral programmes, style-sensitive play and mastery of interpretation. The diverse repertoire of the orchestra includes music from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic era; an important part is also held by the musical works of the composers of 20th and 21st century, including less-known pieces and premieres. In 2013, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra received the Estonian Music Council’s Prize for Interpretation. TCO is one of performers on Arvo Pärt’s record Adam’s Lament, which won a Grammy in 2014.
The young Estonian conductor Risto Joost excels by his specialized versatility and has gained widespread recognition for his work both in the opera pit and on concert stage. The trained singer and Conductor-in-Residence of the Estonian National Opera has already held major artistic positions, such as Chief Conductor of the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and Artistic Director of the MDR Leipzig Radio Choir from 2015 to 2019. For his artistic activities in Estonia and abroad, Risto Joost received the music award of the Cultural Foundation in Estonia in 2016 and was awarded the Young Cultural Figure Award of the Estonian Republic in 2011. He was Prizewinner of the Malko Conducting Competition in 2015 and Jorma Panula Conducting Competition in 2012. Risto Joost is the chief conductor of the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra.