Mullova, Philharmonia, Järvi, RFH review – clear paths through the forest

★★★★★ MULLOVA, PHILHARMONIA, JÄRVI, RFH Clear paths through the forest

Familiar works refreshed as precision joins passion

Visit Ainola, Sibelius’s woodland house by Lake Tuusula north of Helsinki, and you’ll be told the story of the green stove. It appears that the famously synaesthetic Finnish composer identified the shade of his heating installation with the key of F major.

Tallinn Music Week 2019 review: 'We All Value Being European'

A much-needed reminder that creativity thrives without barriers

“We like people here in Estonia. I think we all here very much value being European. To all our British friends, we know that the offer of e-residency has been ticking-up constantly. You can find a sure foothold for your business here in Estonia. There’s enough space, please come.”

Lupu, Philharmonia, Järvi, RFH review - concerto magical in parts, symphony stupendous

★★★★ LUPU, PHILHARMONIA, JÄRVI, RFH Concerto magical in parts, symphony stupendous

Delicacy from the legendary Romanian in Beethoven while Rachmaninov electrifies

Pianists most often cite Radu Lupu alongside Martha Argerich and Grigory Sokolov as the greatest. So it was hardly surprising to see so many top musicians in a packed audience, buzzing with expectation for the 73-year-old Romanian's most recent UK appearance with a conductor he respects, Paavo Järvi. Lupu appeared at Steven Isserlis's 60th birthday event at the Wigmore towards the end of last year, but before that hasn't been seen here since 2014.

Albums of the Year 2018: Mari Kalkun - Ilmamõtsan

ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2018: MARI KALKUN - ILMAMÕSTAN Beauty and an understated power

Estonian singer-songwriter unites beauty and an understated power

Any of the individual elements making up Ilmamõtsan would be enough. Unified, they imbue Ilmamõtsan with beauty and an understated power. That questing Estonian singer-songwriter Mari Kalkun does not sing in English is no barrier to being affected.

Anderson & Roe, RLPO, Tali, Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool review - measured fire

★★★★ ANDERSON & ROE, RLPO, TALI, PHILHARMONIC HALL, LIVERPOOL Estonian conductor makes a powerful impression

 

An Estonian arrives in the UK to make a strong impression

There must be something of a beauty parade going on in Liverpool now that Vasily Petrenko has called time on his tenure at Philharmonic Hall.  After all, someone will need to step into his shoes from 2021 after he departs for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. It was refreshing, therefore, to welcome Anu Tali to conduct the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, making her debut with the orchestra.

theartsdesk at the Pärnu Music Festival 2018 - Pärt, Leonskaja and friends hard at play

PÄRNU MUSIC FESTIVAL 2018 Wild nights with the Estonian Festival Orchestra and friends

Wild nights from Paavo Järvi's Estonian Festival Orchestra at home before their first Prom

Unanticipated miracles happen every summer in the quiet paradise of Estonia's seaside capital. The first this year came as a total surprise. Having got off the afternoon coach from Riga last Monday and dumped bags at my villa base in Pärnu's garden zone, I headed back into town for the first event.

theartsdesk in Germany - Baltic mastery in Berlin and Leipzig

BALTIC MASTERY IN BERLIN AND LEIPZIG Neeme Järvi conducts an Estonian epic, Latvian Andris Nelsons becomes 21st Gewandhauskapellmeister

Neeme Järvi conducts an Estonian epic, Latvian Andris Nelsons becomes 21st Gewandhauskapellmeister

Punching well above their weights, population-wise, on the international music scene, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are celebrating, and being celebrated, in style over the year of their 100th birthdays.

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Milton Court review - Arvo Pärt plus

★★★★ ESTONIAN PHILHARMONIC CHAMBER CHOIR, MILTON COURT REVIEW Arvo Pärt plus

Startling masterpieces by Jonathan Harvey and Veljo Tormis follow a familiar first half

Make Arvo Pärt the bulwark of any concert and you can surprise as well as delight the full house he’s likely to win you with the rest of your chosen programme. This was a beautifully planned showcase for the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir under its Latvian conductor Kaspars Putniņš, poised between the introspective and the extrovert both within the all-Pärt first half and what followed after the interval, where Estonian composers no less precious than Pärt to their compatriots framed the late Jonathan Harvey’s mesmerising seraphics.