Birth of John the Baptist

Glasperlenspiel Music Festival
July 6th, 2024 at 10 pm, Tartu St. John’s church (Jaani kirik)
BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
Vox Clamantis, artistic director and conductor Jaan-Eik Tulve
Gregorian chant, Tournai mass, Guillaume de Machaut

Elisabeth Zachariæ magnum virum genuit,
Joannem Baptistam, præcursorem Domini.

The concert of the internationally acclaimed early music ensemble Vox Clamantis, which has held a prominent place in Estonian musical life for more than a quarter-century, is dedicated to St John’s birthday, or Midsummer Day, the eve of which (Midsummer Eve) is celebrated exactly on 6th of July according to the old church calendar. At the heart of the programme is Gregorian chant that is considered to be a cornerstone of Western art music and which has had a strong influence on our musical culture up to the present day. It has also been a common interest of the Vox Clamantis members. The conductor of the ensemble, Jaan-Eik Tulve, has said that it is and will remain the musical axis of Vox Clamantis, and that the world of Gregorian chant is so inexhaustible that it provides a source of inspiration for all kinds of music. Alongside the monodic Gregorian chant, the oldest surviving polyphonic mass cycle, The Tournai Mass, will also be performed in St John’s Church.

Formed in 1996 by Jaan-Eik Tulve, Vox Clamantis unites professional musicians from different fields who have a common interest in Gregorian chant. In addition to it, ensemble often performs early polyphony and contemporary music from Estonian composers such as Arvo Pärt, Helena Tulve, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Tõnis Kaumann, Toivo Tulev, Tatjana Kozlova-Johannes, Tõnu Kõrvits and others. Vox Clamantis has collaborated with renowned artists and ensembles, including Arianna Savalli, Jean-Claude Pennetier, Marco Ambrosini, Yair Dalali, Dhafer Youssef, the Amsterdam Cello Octet, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra. The ensemble has recorded several highly acknowledged albums:  Liszt – Via crucis (Mirare, 2012), Pärt – Adam’s Lament (ECM, 2014), Arvo Pärt. The Deer’s Cry (ECM, 2016) and Sacrum convivium (Mirare, 2018). Vox Clamantis has given concerts across the globe and has participated in Sydney Festival, Hong Kong Arts Festival, RCM’s 21C festival in Toronto, Manchester International Festival, La Folle Journée festival in both France and Japan, the International Piano Festival of La Roque d’Anthéron and at many other venues and festivals. In 2017, Vox Clamantis received the National Culture Award of the Republic of Estonia and in 2011, the Prize of Endowment for Music of Culture Endowment of Estonia.

Singers of Vox Clamantis: Mari-Liis Urb, Anete Peäske, Ülle Abner, Susanna Paabumets, Kadri Hunt, Saale Kreen, Sander Pehk, Anto Õnnis, Sakarias Jaan Leppik, Ryan Adams, Taniel Kirikal, Tõnis Kaumann, Aare Külama, Riivo Kallasmaa

Jaan-Eik Tulve, a choral conductor and specialist of Gregorian chant, has studied at Conservatoire de Paris with Louis-Marie Vigne and has worked with Dom Daniel Saulnier of Solesmes Abbey. He has given many courses in Gregorian chant in Europe and since 1996 he has also taught at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Tulve has conducted the Paris Gregorian Choir and formed the Lac et Mel ensemble. Jaan-Eik Tulve has been awarded the Prize of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia (2006), the 5th Class Order of the White Star of the Republic of Estonia (2007) and the Order of Léopold of the Kingdom of Belgium and the Order of Arts and Letters of the French Republic. The Estonian Public Broadcasting named him the Musician of the Year 2017.

Download the complete lyrics of the chants in Latin (PDF, 4 pages)

Organizers:
Peeter Vähi – artistic director
Tiina Jokinen – executive director
Kadri Kiis – producer, accountant
Meeta Vardja – musicologist, editor of festival booklet
AI – design
Olavi Sööt – co-producer, video, logistics
Reno Hekkonens – marketing director, PR
Johannes Vähi – co-producer, webmaster, sound engineering, logistics
Marje Hansar – social media

Special thanks: Tartu City Government, Urmas Klaas, Triin Käpp, Jana Raud, Ministry of Culture of Estonia, Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Canon, Toyota, Kaupo Kiis, Kristel Leppik, Anne-Liise Kiis, volunteers