March 2014: Choral Month

One of the strongest advocates for traditional Estonian folksong, or regilaul, Veljo Tormis’ unique music is celebrated this year with a worldwide singing contest.

With an eclectic programming ethos, and some of the finest acoustics in the Netherlands, the Muziekgebouw aan ’t IJ is about as adaptable as it’s possible for a modern concert hall to be.

Choral conductor Ingrid Mänd discusses the phenomenon of choral singing in Estonia, Veljo Tormis’ haunting Forgotten Peoples, and the thousands gathering for the Tartu Song and Dance Festival.

Exploring choral selections from Sweden, Chile, Russia, Ukraine, Canada, Dominica and Nigeria, to bring a variety of festive splendour to the end of this year.

The prolific Polish choral composer tells us about Polish sacred music and about his new festival that will introduce British audiences to this unfamiliar genre.

We profile one of the most advanced and best-sounding concert halls in the UK, and take a look further afield at arts and culture across Manchester.