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Duke Arts Presents

Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

Friday, February 10, 2017 | 8:00 pm

Duke Chapel


The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir comes from a country where musical virtuosity is prized, part-singing has been an essential ingredient of education for centuries, and the choral tradition is closely linked to the sense of national identity. It is not surprising, then, that this outstanding twenty-five voice professional ensemble arose from a children’s choir. As adults, graduates of that choir formed what would become the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, winning several international competitions and growing in popularity along with the Estonian composer whose work they championed, Arvo Pärt.

These flawless singers, renowned for the shimmering quality of their sound, return to Duke Chapel following their triumphant sold-out 2013 performance. Their program features works by two of the greatest living choral composers: Pärt, whose luminous compositions look back to medieval and renaissance music, and Pärt’s countryman Veljo Tormis, who draws inspiration from Estonian folk songs. Rounding out the program are rarely-performed masterpieces by Tchaikovsky — Nine Sacred Pieces — and Sibelius — the folk-based Partsongs.

 

Program

Arvo Pärt: Solfeggio, Nunc Dimittis, The Woman with the Alabaster Box, Dopo La Vittoria
Tchaikovsky: Selections from Nine Sacred Pieces: Nos. 3, 7, and 9
Veljo Tormis: Towerbell of my Village, Curse Upon Iron
Sibelius: Selections from 6 Partsongs, op. 18: “Song of my Heart,” “Beloved,” “Fire on the Island”