Thu, July 10th at 7 pm, St. John’s church (Jaani Street 5, Tartu)
OPENING CONCERT – IL DISTRATTO
Hans Christian Aavik (violin), Glasperlenspiel Sinfonietta, concertmaster Arvo Leibur, conductor Kristiina Poska
Mozart, Haydn, Hallik (premiere), Rääts
Composer Elis Hallik has described her premiere work Transience as follows: „It means something transient – it reflects the beauty of the moment that does not last but leaves a mark nevertheless. It is an undemanding presence that touches and moves forward. Everything is already in motion, even when still standing. Time breaks and rushes through us like light. Every moment is an explosion – and yet almost silence. Somewhere deep, in the undercurrent of thought, there is something moving that despite not being put into words, makes us seek and yearn. Forms emerge and dissipate still not disappearing – like memories that remain without having to be named. It is neither peace nor explanation, but movement. A moment that just appears – and disappears again. And yet it remains. In a different density.”
Hans Christian Aavik is an outstanding young violinist who was recognised as the laureate of the Annual Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia in 2022. In the same year, he was also awarded the title of Artist of the Year by the Association of Professional Musicians. Hans Christian Aavik has won the first prize at several international competitions and honed his skills in the master classes of Christoph Eschenbach, Kolja Blacher, Iván Fischer and Florian Donderer.
The unique artistic style of the Glasperlenspiel Sinfonietta includes not only masterpieces from the classical repertoire but also innovative forms that transcend art. The orchestra’s repertoire, which spans centuries, intertwines old music with new, from Bach to Piazzolla and Pärt.
The award-winning conductor Kristiina Poska is in high demand on the international music scene. She has held the post of Chief Conductor of Flanders Symphony Orchestra since 2019/20 season, Principal Guest Conductor of Latvian National Symphony Orchestra since 2021/22 and will start her tenure as Music Director of Orchestre Français des Jeunes in Summer 2025. She studied choral conducting at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theater in Tallinn and orchestral conducting at Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler, Berlin. Poska was a finalist at the renowned Donatella Flick LSO Competition in 2010 and at the Malko Competition in May 2012, where she also won the audience prize. She then went on to win the prestigious German Conductors’ Prize in April 2013.
This season’s highlights include several debuts – with Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Colorado Symphony in North America, Orquesta Sinfónica de Euskadi and Orquesta Sinfónica de Bilbao in Spain, Swedish Radio and Norwegian Radio Symphony orchestras in Scandinavia as well as Orchestre National de Montpellier, Lahti Symphony Orchestra and Grazer Philharmoniker. During the concert season, she returns to Orchestre National de France, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, and tours with Flanders Symphony Orchestra several times performing in Belgium, Netherlands, France, Germany and Estonia. As the new Music Director of the Orchestre Français des Jeunes, she embarks on two European tours at the end of the summer.
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, AI prompting, sound engineering, logistics
Glorija Gilden / Digitaevas – 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, Toyota, St John’s church, Kaupo Kiis, Kristel Leppik, volunteers
Previous festivals: 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