ESTONIAN PHILHARMONIC CHAMBER CHOIR
Tõnu Kaljuste, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor

CELEBRATING THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF ARVO PÄRT

Discover the mesmerizing beauty of one of the world’s most acclaimed vocal ensembles, visiting Montréal for the very first time.

As part of a rare North American appearance, this concert is presented within an international tour celebrating the 90th birthday of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, an iconic figure of sacred minimalism.

A longtime collaborator of Pärt, the choir—under the direction of its founder and conductor Tõnu Kaljuste—offers an interpretation of remarkable precision and striking emotional clarity, a sonic journey that will leave audiences breathless.

An Evening of Choral Music of Striking Purity

Renowned for its luminous tone, unparalleled vocal cohesion, and deeply spiritual interpretations, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC), led by its founder and conductor Tõnu Kaljuste, is widely regarded as an international ambassador of Estonian culture. Acclaimed on the world’s greatest stages—Carnegie Hall, Elbphilharmonie, Sydney Opera House, Concertgebouw—the ensemble will finally meet Montréal audiences in a program that is both timeless and meditative.

Program

A repertoire ranging from the transcendence of Arvo Pärt to the evocative power of Veljo Tormis, Luciano Berio, Philip Glass, and Evelin Seppar:

ARVO PÄRT – The Deer’s Cry, Nunc dimittis, Dopo la vittoria, Kontakion, Ikos, Prayer After the Canon
LUCIANO BERIO – Cries of London
EVELIN SEPPAR – Iris
VELJO TORMIS – Piiskop ja pagan
PHILIP GLASS – Father Death Blues

(Program subject to change.)

About Tõnu Kaljuste

Tõnu Kaljuste’s repertoire spans opera, symphonic music, and contemporary works. He has collaborated with leading Northern and Eastern European composers—from Alfred Schnittke to György Kurtág, including Krzysztof Penderecki, Giya Kancheli, and Einojuhani Rautavaara—and is a recognized interpreter of Estonian composers such as Arvo Pärt, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Tõnu Kõrvits, Veljo Tormis, and Heino Eller.

His recording of Arvo Pärt’s Adam’s Lament, which he conducted both chorally and orchestrally, earned him a GRAMMY Award in 2014. Other recordings—from the opera David and Bathsheba by Norwegian composer Ståle Kleiberg to symphonic works—have also received major awards, including the Diapason d’Or, Prix Caecilia, and Edison Award.

In 2019, he received an International Classical Music Award for his recording of Arvo Pärt’s symphonies with the Wrocław Philharmonic Orchestra. His recordings are released on labels including ECM, Virgin Classics, and BIS.

About the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir is one of Estonia’s most celebrated ensembles. Founded in 1981 by Tõnu Kaljuste, who served as its artistic director for nearly twenty years, the choir has since been led by Paul Hillier, Daniel Reuss, and Kaspars Putniņš, and performs regularly around the world.

Its repertoire spans Baroque music to 21st-century compositions, with a particular focus on Estonian composers such as Arvo Pärt and Veljo Tormis.

The choir has received numerous awards, including GRAMMY Awards and Diapason d’Or distinctions. Each season, it presents nearly 70 concerts in Estonia and internationally. It has performed under the direction of conductors such as Claudio Abbado, Sir Simon Rattle, and Gustavo Dudamel, and collaborated with ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, and Los Angeles Philharmonic, among many others.

The choir has recorded nearly 80 albums, released on labels including ECM, Virgin Classics, and Harmonia Mundi.