A meditative Estonian celebration of 90 years of Arvo Pärt

By David Smythe, 06 October 2025

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“Kaljuste fashioned the composer’s humble spiritual vision”

Reviewed at City Halls: Concert Hall, Glasgow on 5 October 2025

Pärt, Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten

Pärt, L'Abbé Agathon

Pärt, Adam's Lament

Mägi, Vesper

Pärt, Fratres

Pärt, Te Deum

Maria Listra, Soprano

Harry Traksmann, Violin

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

Tallinn Chamber Orchestra

Tõnu Kaljuste, Conductor

Celebrating a musical hero: Neeme Järvi at 85

Alexander Hall, 13th July

Neeme Järvi celebrates his 80th birthday in style, together with the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and his daughter Maarika, in works by Mozart, Gluck and Dvořák.

****1

Two “Firsts” as Beethoven opens the Pärnu Music Festival

Mark Pullinger, 16th July

While Kalle Randalu proves an amiable soloist in the First Piano Concerto, it is Beethoven the firebrand who startles in Paavo Järvi's account of the First Symphony with the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra.

***11

Into silence: Arvo Pärt's distinctive soundworld casts a spell

Matthew Rye, 3rd February

A portrait concert of music by Arvo Pärt, while single-mindedly contemplative in tone, proves surprisingly absorbing in the hands of his most authoritative interpreters.

****1

Atonal explorations “through the forest” in Tallinn

Timmy Fisher, 5th May

The Tallinn Chamber Orchestra deliver a bold but challenging programme of atonal works.

***11

A high-flying Creation in Estonia

Simon Rees, 7th August

A high-flying, zip-wire staging of Haydn's The Creation in Tallinn.

****1

Tallinn Chamber Orchestra in a programme of premières

Gavin Dixon, 12th April

“Two Ladies”, the title of this afternoon’s concert of the Estonian Music Days festival, referred to its two violin soloists, Triin Ruubel and Juta Õunapuu-Mocanita.

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David Smythe

David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.