Magma by Erkki-Sven Tüür

Estonian National Symphony Orchestra

Aug 14 - 19.30 hrs
Mme TIEN SUKARTO BALLET
Tanjung Semek Avenue
Jakarta Jabar

The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (ERSO) has its origins as a small radio orchestra in 1926. It has become Estonia’s representative orchestra over the years and has powerfully increased its international scope especially over recent years. High quality of ERSO’s recordings that has also attracted attention during recent years has been bespotted by several recognized music magazines and the recordings have been won several awards such as Grammy Award for the recordings of Sibelius’ cantatas (Ellerhein Girls’ Choir, Estonian National Male Choir, ERSO, conductor Paavo Järvi, Virgin Classics). In 2005 The New York Times named ERSO’s CD Peer Gynt (Virgin Classics) as surprise highlight of the year and in March 2006 it also won BBC Music Magazine's award for best orchestral album. Released in August this year, the CD Magma of Erkki-Sven Tüür`s music, conducted by Paavo Järvi, (Virgin Classics) was chosen as the album of the month in orchestral category by BBC Music Magazine, and in the October issue of Gramophone Magma as well as ERSO’s CD of Ester Mägi’s music (Toccata Classics) appeared among the ten most outstanding new albums. In addition to close cooperation between ERSO and Virgin Classics the orchestra has also recorded music for Alba Records, BIS, Antes Edition, Ondine, Finlandia Records, Consonant Works, Melodija and others. The orchestra is regularly also recording music for the Estonian Radio.

The concert venues outside Estonia have become more and more dignified. There was a tour in Italy in 2003 with 17 concerts. In 2006 ERSO performed very successfully with Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, conducted by Olari Elts, at the concert in the Turin Cathedral. The Concert was dedicated to the music of Arvo Pärt and was a part of the culture programme of the Turin Olympic Games. The orchestra has toured widely throughout the world (Romania, Bulgaria, Kuwait, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Switzerland, Spain, Russia and elsewhere). In the beginning of 2009 the orchestra will undertake its debut American tour planning to give 15-20 concerts. ERSO has taken part in numerous music festivals at home and abroad (Baltic Sea Festival in 2005 and 2006, Yehudi Menuhin Festival Gstaad Musiksommer in Switzerland, Europamusicale in Munich etc.).

The Principal Conductors of ERSO have been Olav Roots, Roman Matsov, Neeme Järvi, Peeter Lilje, Leo Krämer and Arvo Volmer. From autumn 2001 Nikolai Alexeev has been the Principal Conductor and Art Director of ERSO. From the season 2002/2003 Paavo Järvi has been active as the Artistic Adviser of the orchestra and from the season of 2007/2008 Olari Elts has been appointed as the Principal Guest Conductor of ERSO.

The repertoire of ERSO includes music from the Baroque period to premiere performances of modern works. ERSO has been the first performer of the symphonic pieces of almost all Estonian composers including Arvo Pärt, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Eduard Tubin, Lepo Sumera, Eino Tamberg, Tõnu Kõrvits, Helena Tulve and Toivo Tulev.

At present, the orchestra comprises ca 100 musicians and averages 60-65 concerts per season, with three to four new programmes a month. In addition to Estonian musicians, the orchestra performs with many renowned conductors and soloists from around the world.

Erkki-Sven Tüür (born October 16, 1959) is an Estonian composer.

Tüür (pronounced /'ty:r/) was born in Kärdla on the Estonian island of Hiiumaa. He studied flute and percussion at the Tallinn Music School from 1976 to 1980 and composition with Jaan Rääts at the Tallinn Academy of Music and privately with Lepo Sumera from 1980 to 1984. From 1979 to 1984 he headed the rock group In Spe, which quickly became one of the most popular in Estonia.

Tüür left In Spe to concentrate on composition, and with the advent of perestroika soon found an audience in the west. The Helsinki Philharmonic, the Hilliard Ensemble, the Stockholm Saxophone Quartet and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra are among those who have commissioned works from him. He was awarded the Cultural Prize of Estonia in 1991 and 1996.

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