MAIN PROGRAMME IN TARTU ST. JOHN’S CHURCH, JULY 9th–14th, 2026
● Thu, July 9th at 7 pm, St. John’s church (Jaani Street 5, Tartu)
OPENING CONCERT
Vytautas Kiminius (birbynė, conductor, Lithuania), Martin Kuuskmann (bassoon, Estonia/USA), Glasperlenspiel Sinfonietta, concert master Arvo Leibur
Mozart, Vähi
Vytautas Kiminius is a prominent Lithuanian musician, conductor, and a leading virtuoso of the birbynė, a traditional Lithuanian woodwind instrument. He is considered one of Lithuania’s foremost players of the birbynė. He has been credited as the first professional to study and represent the instrument’s capabilities outside of Lithuania, often performing classical repertoire adapted for the folk instrument.
Vytautas Kiminius serves as the conductor of the Alytus Symphony Orchestra “Svajonė”. He has also conducted various other orchestras and national events, such as the Lithuanian Song Celebration.
Kiminius frequently performs with international artists. Notable 2024–2025 activities included a tour in the United States with The American Virtuosi and European concerts with pianist Vincenzo De Martino.
He graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (birbynė performance, 2014) and a Master’s in symphony orchestra conducting (2016). He furthered his skills through an internship in Italy at the Conservatorio di Verona Evaristo Felice Dall’Abacoro Baccini.
He has actively promoted the birbynė on global platforms, including a live performance on Deutsche Welle’s “The Sound of Europe”.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Bassoon Concerto, in B-flat major, Movement I, fragment 3 min 44 sec, Martin Kuuskmann (bassoon), mp3, 320 Kbps
Peeter Vähi. Birbynė Concerto, Vytautas Kiminius (birbynė), live, fragment, 4 min 31 sec, mp3, 320 Kbps
● Fri, July 10th at 12 at noon (free entrance)
MIDDAY MINI-CONCERT: NEWLY DISCOVERED BACH
Ulla Krigul (organ)
Bach
● Fri, July 10th at 9 pm
MARIE ANTOINETTE & HARP
Elisabeth Plank (harp, Austria)
Marie Antoinette, F. Petrini, A.-M. Krumpholtz, J. L. Dussek, J. B. Krumpholtz, S.-F. de Genlis, Ph. J. Hinner
● Sat, July 11th at 7 pm
BELLS
Havryl Sydoryk (piano, Ukraine / Estonia)
Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Eller, Dutilleux, Lysenko, Sydoryk
● Sat, July 11th at 10 pm
PATH OF MANTRA
Martin Kuuskmann (bassoon, dung-chen, Estonia/USA) & Peeter Vähi (keyboards, percussion)
traditional, Vähi, Cage
● Sun, July 12th at 11 am (free entrance)
CONCERT-LITURGY
Triin Käpp (parson), mixed choir of Tartu University St. John’s Congregation, Kaisa Kuslapuu (organ, conductor)
● Sun, July 12th at 9 pm
SETO FANTASY
Dedicated to Jaan Kaplinski
Seto folk ensemble Siidisõsarõ, chamber choir Collegium Musicale, conductor Endrik Üksvärav
Lill (premiere)
● Mon, July 13th at 7 pm
MISSA VOTIVA
Chamber choir Moran Singers (Israel), Hortus Musicus Orchestra, conductor Andres Mustonen
Jan Dismis Zelenka, Tomas Louis de Victoria
● Tue, July 14th at 7 pm
HYPOCONDRIE
European Union Baroque Orchestra, Alfredo Bernardini (oboe, artistic director)
Lully, Corelli, Vivaldi, Telemann, Muffat, Zelenka
It has already become a tradition that live-painting takes place at the Glasperlenspiel concerts, and during the festival week, the initial blank white canvases are transformed into artworks, that will decorate the church walls until the end of July. Later, those who wish will be able to acquire the paintings. In previous years, the painters have been Liis Koger, Heleliis Hõim, Mark Kostabi, Anna Litvinova, Tarrvi Laamann and Mirjam Hinn. This time, music will be captured on the canvas again… by Navitrolla brushstrokes.
Organizers:
Peeter Vähi – artistic director
Tiina Jokinen – executive director
Kadri Kiis – producer, accountant
Kaidi Ugandi – manager of Glasperlenspiel Sinfonietta
Meeta Vardja – musicologist, editor of festival booklet
Mart Kivisild – design
Olavi Sööt – co-producer, video, logistics
Reno Hekkonens – marketing director, PR
Johannes Vähi – co-producer, webmaster, sound engineering, logistics
Rebeca Birk – social media
Special thanks: Tartu City Government, Urmas Klaas, Triin Käpp, Jana Raud, Ministry of Culture of Estonia, Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Canon and Overall, St John’s church, Kaupo Kiis, Kristel Leppik, volunteers
Past event
Festival Glasperlenspiel presents:
● Sun, March 29th at 5 pm, St. John’s church (Jaani kirik), Tallinn
Palm Sunday Concert
MOZART. REQUIEM – special chamber edition
Elina Nechayeva (soprano), Aule Urb (mezzo soprano, Estonian National Opera), Anto Õnnis (tenor), Alvar Tiisler (bass-baritone), Piret Aidulo (organ), Glasperlenspiel Sinfonietta (concert master Arvo Leibur), conductor Andres Mustonen
SOLD OUT!
Next Glasperlenspiel: July 8th – 13th, 2027
Previous festivals: 2025, 2024; 2023; 2022; 2021; 2020; 2019; 2018; 2017; 2016; 2015; 2014; 2013; 2012; 2011; 2010; 2009; 2008; 2007; 2006; 2005; Archives: Glasperlenspiel 2003 and 2004