PATH OF MANTRA

Festival Glasperlenspiel
Sat, July 11th at 10 pm
PATH OF MANTRA
Martin Kuuskmann (bassoon, dung-chen, Estonia/USA) & Peeter Vähi (keyboards, percussion)
Traditional, Vähi, Cage

The musical collaboration between Martin Kuuskmann and Peeter Vähi has spanned over a quarter of a century. Between 2000 and 2001, they composed the score for the feature film The Heart of the Bear, and in 2002 their CD The Path of Mantra was released in Germany, followed by other collaborative projects.
This concert is inspired by that very work, The Path of Mantra. For years, Martin and Peeter have wished to perform this music live, but challenges arose: the original recording featured monks from the Tibetan Buddhist Drikung Kagyu tradition, whose return to Europe is nearly impossible. Additionally, the most revered among them – His Eminence Drubwang Rinpoche, whose portrait graces the CD cover – has passed away. Logistical challenges also made it difficult for Martin and Peeter to meet, as they live on opposite sides of the ocean.
Now, the musicians have decided to perform together as a duo, with the monks’ parts incorporated via recording and AI-generated visuals based on Peeter’s photographs. The soundscape is enriched with striking tonal colors and a cosmic dimension through the use of a large Tibetan ritual trumpet, the Planet Venus Gong (tuned to A = 110.62 Hz, based on Venus’ orbital frequency), and a tube-metallophone created by German esoteric instrument maker Jochen Fassbender, based on pure overtones.
For this concert, the following works have been prepared: Celestial Lake, Invocation, Mystical Uniting, Mantras of Three Bodies, and Medicine Buddha Practice. The performers reserve the right to adjust the selection and order of pieces on the spot, responding to the mood, audience, and moment. Spoken explanations may also be added when helpful.
In an ideal sense, the program also resonates with the spirit of American composer John Cage, who had a Zen Buddhist background, through his legendary work 4’33’’, a composition consisting entirely of 4 minutes and 33 seconds of silence.

The Path of Mantra. Celestial Lake, performed by Drikung Kagyu monks, Martin Kuuskmann and Peeter Vähi, fragment, 1 min 32 sec, mp3, 64 Kbps

Organizers:
Tiina Jokinen – executive director
Kadri Kiis – producer, accountant
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