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, Lithuania), Martin Kuuskmann (bassoon, Estonia/USA), Glasperlenspiel Sinfonietta, conductor Kristiina Poska
Mozart, Vähi, Pärt
● Fri, July 10th at 12 at noon (free entrance)
Ulla Krigul
Bach
● Fri, July 10th at 9 pm
Elisabeth Plank (harp, Austria)
● Sat, July 11th at 7 pm
Havryl Sydoryk (piano and harpsichord, Ukraine / Estonia)
● Sat, July 11th at 10 pm
PATH OF MANTRA
Martin Kuuskmann (bassoon, Estonia/USA) & Peeter Vähi (electronics)
traditional, improvisations, Vähi
● 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
SETU FANTASY
Setu Folk Ensemble, chamber choir Collegium Musicale, conductor Endrik Üksvärav
Lill (premiere)
● Mon, July 13th at 7 pm
HYPOCONDRIE
European Union Baroque Orchestra, Alfredo Bernardini (oboe, artistic director)
Lully, Corelli, Vivaldi, Telemann, Muffat, Zelenka
● Tue, July 14th at 7 pm
MISSA VOTIVA
Chamber choir Moran Singers (Israel), Baroque ensemble Barrocada (Israel), conductor Andres Mustonen
Jan Dismis Zelenka, Tomas Louis de Victoria
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 XXX’s 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
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