Estonian choir does its Pärt
Johnson County Community College
Press Release
College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Associate Vice President, Marketing Communications, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122
10/03/08
Story by Peggy Graham
Estonian choir does its Pärt
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During their first North American Tour in 1995, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir was known as the choir who performed Arvo Pärt’s Te Deum on their Grammy-nominated CD. As the EPCC makes its seventh U.S. tour in November, the choir has name recognition in its own right, known for sublime intonation.
The 2008 tour program highlights the master choral works of two fellow Estonians — Pärt with Occident Orient (for strings, 2000) and Te Deum (1985, rev. 1992); and Erkki-Sven Tüür with Requiem (1994).
One of the finest professional choirs in the world, the 28-member EPCC was founded as an amateur ensemble called the Ellerhein Choir in 1966 by Heino Kaljuste (father of Tõnu). The choir follows the long tradition of choral singing, which has sustained Estonia through its successive periods of occupation since the 12th century by Danish, Swedish, Polish, Nazi and Russian rulers. The chamber choir gained professional status in 1981 as the EPCC, founded by Tõnu Kaljuste.
The EPCC’s blended voices, expression of text and precise ensemble work put them in demand for concerts worldwide. Their repertoire ranges from Gregorian chants to late baroque and 20th century music. Works by Bach and contemporary composers, as well as Estonian choral music, have great importance in the choir’s programs. Music by Pärt and Veljo Tormis have shared a very special place in the EPCC’s repertoire for many years.
In the United States, the choir has performed at the Lincoln Center, Washington Performing Arts Society, Performing Arts Chicago and San Francisco Performances. The EPCC performed in Kansas City in 2002 as a co-presentation of the Carlsen Center and The Friends of Chamber Music at Redemptorist Church, Kansas City, Mo., and again in 2006 in Yardley Hall.
The EPCC’s recordings receive high praise from reviewers worldwide. Eight CDs have been Grammy nominees — Te Deum, Litany, Crystallisatio, Kanon Pokajanen, Now the Powers of Heaven, Baltic Voices 1, Baltic Voices 2 and Da Pacem — with the last receiving the 2007 Grammy Award for best choral performance.
The Tallinn Chamber Orchestra (Tallinn is the capital of Estonia) was founded in 1993 by Tõnu Kaljuste. The orchestra, which numbers between 16 and 40 musicians, is closely associated with a 20th century repertoire, including works by Bartok, Britten, Tüür and Pärt. The TCO frequently collaborates with the EPCC in performance and recordings.
Tickets for Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra are $30 and $40, available by calling the Carlsen Center box office at 913-469-4445 or online at www.jccc.edu/CarlsenCenter.