Dmitri Shostakovich
Suite for Variety Orchestra No. 1
Dmitri Shostakovich
Piano Concerto No. 1 in C minor, Op. 35
Dmitri Shostakovich
Symphony No. 6 in B-minor, Op. 54
In February, under the baton of Olari Elts, ERSO celebrates the 120th anniversary of Dmitri Shostakovich’s birth. For the first time, the orchestra will perform the composer’s Suite for Variety Orchestra No. 1. The concert also features pianist Marie-Ange Nguci as the soloist in Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1. A virtuoso with a distinctive musical voice, Nguci has already graced some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls despite her young age. The second half of the evening presents Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6, a striking emotional departure from the dramatic intensity of his Fifth Symphony. This work offers a more introspective and lyrical experience, revealing a different side of the composer’s genius.
MARIE-ANGE NGUCI piano
EAMT Symphony Orchestra
ERSO
conductor OLARI ELTS
ERSO TV broadcasts are produced in cooperation with Klassikaraadio and Helipilt Grupp OÜ.
ERSO thanks Tammo Sumera, Mait Visnapuu, Priit Perend, Eva-Liisa Heinmaa.
Johannes Brahms
Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93
In March, violinist David Grimal will join ERSO as both soloist and conductor, meaning no separate conductor will be on stage for this performance. The programme features Johannes Brahms’ Violin Concerto, a work dedicated to his close friend and one of the 19th century’s most renowned violinists, Hungarian Joseph Joachim. This concerto is considered one of the four great German violin concertos. The second half of the evening will showcase Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 8—the shortest and most Haydn-like of his symphonies, filled with unexpected musical wit and lighthearted charm.
DAVID GRIMAL violin
ERSO
ERSO TV broadcasts are produced in cooperation with Klassikaraadio and Helipilt Grupp OÜ.
ERSO thanks Tammo Sumera, Mait Visnapuu, Priit Perend, Eva-Liisa Heinmaa.
Théodore Akimenko
Suite romantique (premiere)
Maurice Ravel
Piano Concerto in G major
Igor Stravinsky
The Firebird Suite
The concert centers on the legend of the magical Firebird, a creature that brings either great fortune or ruin to its captor. In the fairy tale that inspired Igor Stravinsky’s famous ballet, the Firebird is caught by Tsar Ivan, who releases her in exchange for a magical charm to aid him on his journey. Along the way, Ivan must face the evil sorcerer Kashchey and rescue a princess. The concert, conducted by Ukrainian maestro Kirill Karabits, also features a world premiere by his compatriot Théodore Akimenko. Pianist Simon Trpčeski joins ERSO to perform Maurice Ravel’s dazzling Piano Concerto.
SIMON TRPČESKI piano
ERSO
conductor KIRILL KARABITS
ERSO TV broadcasts are produced in cooperation with Klassikaraadio and Helipilt Grupp OÜ.
ERSO thanks Tammo Sumera, Mait Visnapuu, Priit Perend, Eva-Liisa Heinmaa.
Maria Kõrvits
New work
Unsuk Chin
Violin Concerto No. 1
Franz Schubert
Overture in the Italian Style in C major, D. 591
Felix Mendelssohn
Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 90 Italian
At the end of March, violinist Viviane Hagner returns to perform with ERSO. The centerpiece of the evening is the Violin Concerto No. 1 by Unsuk Chin—one of the most performed living composers today. Though classical in structure, the concerto is known for its exceptionally demanding solo part, offering both technical and interpretive challenges. The concert opens with a new work by Estonian composer Maria Kõrvits, commissioned especially by ERSO. The second half of the evening takes listeners on a journey through Italy. Under the baton of Olari Elts, the orchestra will perform Franz Schubert’s Overture in the Italian Style, inspired by Italian opera, followed by Felix Mendelssohn’s vibrant Symphony No. 4 Italian, a musical reflection of the composer’s travels through Italy.
VIVIANE HAGNER violin
ERSO
conductor OLARI ELTS
ERSO TV broadcasts are produced in cooperation with Klassikaraadio and Helipilt Grupp OÜ.
ERSO thanks Tammo Sumera, Mait Visnapuu, Priit Perend, Eva-Liisa Heinmaa.
Liisa Hirsch
New Work
Riho Esko Maimets
Ecdysis, double concerto for piccolo and harp
Erkki-Sven Tüür
Violin Concerto No. 2
Lepo Sumera
Symphony No. 2
This year’s programme of the Estonian Music Days includes a new work by Liisa Hirsch, along with the Estonian premiere of Riho Esko Maimets’ concerto for piccolo and harp. The brilliant violinist Hans Christian Aavik will perform Erkki–Sven Tüür’s Violin Concerto No. 2, titled Angel’s Share. According to the composer, the title reflects the shedding of unnecessary elements as one matures. The evening concludes with Symphony No. 2 by Lepo Sumera, one of Estonia’s most significant symphonists. The concert will be conducted by Olari Elts.
HANS CHRISTIAN AAVIK violin
HEILI ROSIN-LEIVATEGIJA flute
SARA D’AMICO harp
ERSO
conductor OLARI ELTS
ERSO TV broadcasts are produced in cooperation with Klassikaraadio and Helipilt Grupp OÜ.
ERSO thanks Tammo Sumera, Mait Visnapuu, Priit Perend, Eva-Liisa Heinmaa.
Johann Sebastian Bach
Sinfonia from the Cantata Ich liebe den Höchsten von ganzem Gemüte, BWV 174
Johann Sebastian Bach
Cantata Geist und Seele wird verwirret, BWV 35
Johann Sebastian Bach
Sinfonia from the Cantata Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir, BWV 29
Johann Sebastian Bach
Sinfonia from the Cantata Falsche Welt, dir trau ich nicht, BWV 52
Johann Sebastian Bach
Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068
Italian conductor Rinaldo Alessandrini will lead a programme dedicated to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. It includes the cantata Geist und Seele wird verwirret (Spirit and Soul Shall Be Confounded), composed in Leipzig, and featuring countertenor Martin Karu, whose rising career is gaining recognition both nationally and internationally. The programme also features symphonic or instrumental overtures from the cantatas Ich liebe den Höchsten von ganzem Gemüte, Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir, and Falsche Welt, dir trau ich nicht. Additionally, the concert will include Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3.
MARTIN KARU countertenor
ERSO
conductor RINALDO ALESSANDRINI
ERSO TV broadcasts are produced in cooperation with Klassikaraadio and Helipilt Grupp OÜ.
ERSO thanks Tammo Sumera, Mait Visnapuu, Priit Perend, Eva-Liisa Heinmaa.
Antonín Dvořák / arr. Peeter Vähi
Slavonic Dance Party
Joachim Raff
Symphony No. 8, Op. 205 Frühlingsklänge
As part of the Spring celebrations, legendary conductor Neeme Järvi, who began his musical journey as a percussionist, will make a much-anticipated return to ERSO’s stage. He will be joined by the dynamic Estonian Percussion Group, an ensemble of four virtuoso percussionists: Karl Johann Lattikas, Lauri Metsvahi, Tiit Joamets, and Tanel-Eiko Novikov. Their passion and skill bring a unique energy that resonates with audiences of all ages. Earlier in 2025, the ensemble made headlines with a remarkable concert marathon, performing ten concerts across Estonia in a single night. For this concert, they will join forces with ERSO for a performance of Antonín Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances, arranged by Peeter Vähi.
Estonian Percussion Group
ERSO
conductor NEEME JÄRVI
ERSO TV broadcasts are produced in cooperation with Klassikaraadio and Helipilt Grupp OÜ.
ERSO thanks Tammo Sumera, Mait Visnapuu, Priit Perend, Eva-Liisa Heinmaa.
Lepo Sumera
Musica profana
Arvo Pärt
Symphony No. 4 Los Angeles
Philip Glass
Mishima Concerto
In May, ERSO welcomes conductor Dennis Russell Davies and pianist Maki Namekawa to the stage. With a distinguished career spanning over five decades, Davies has led some of the world’s most acclaimed orchestras, festivals, and opera houses. A long-time interpreter of Arvo Pärt’s music, Davies will conduct the composer’s Symphony No. 4 Los Angeles. Maki Namekawa, known for her dedication to contemporary music, will perform Philip Glass’s Mishima Piano Concerto, inspired by the score for Paul Schrader’s film Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters.
MAKI NAMEKAWA piano
ERSO
conductor DENNIS RUSSELL DAVIES
ERSO TV broadcasts are produced in cooperation with Klassikaraadio and Helipilt Grupp OÜ.
ERSO thanks Tammo Sumera, Mait Visnapuu, Priit Perend, Eva-Liisa Heinmaa.
Johannes Brahms
Hungarian Dances Nos. 1, 3, 4, 6, and 10
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90
Zoltán Kodály
Suite from Háry János
ERSO closes its 99th season with a particularly thrilling guest: cimbalom virtuoso, who will perform a suite from Zoltán Kodály’s comic opera Háry János. The work tells of villagers gathered in a Hungarian tavern to hear the fantastical tales of the old soldier Háry János—most famously, how he single-handedly defeated Napoleon in Milan, yet refused to marry the Empress out of loyalty to his village sweetheart, Örzse. The program also includes Johannes Brahms’ spirited Hungarian Dances and his Third Symphony, conducted by Olari Elts.
ERSO
conductor OLARI ELTS
ERSO TV broadcasts are produced in cooperation with Klassikaraadio and Helipilt Grupp OÜ.
ERSO thanks Tammo Sumera, Mait Visnapuu, Priit Perend, Eva-Liisa Heinmaa.
Emilie Mayer
Faust Overture, Op. 46
Max Bruch
Concerto for Clarinet, Viola and Orchestra in E minor, Op. 88
Ludwig van Beethoven
Symphony No. 3 in E-flat major, Op. 55 Eroica
In February, the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (ERSO) will welcome British conductor Jonathan Bloxham for a performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, Eroica—a revolutionary work that marked a turning point in orchestral music, echoing the ideals of the French Revolution. ERSO’s principal clarinetist Soo-Young Lee will join acclaimed German violist Nils Mönkemeyer to perform Max Bruch’s Concerto for Clarinet, Viola and Orchestra. The concert opens with the Faust Overture by 19th-century German composer Emilie Mayer.
SOO-YOUNG LEE clarinet
NILS MÖNKEMEYER viola
ERSO
conductor JONATHAN BLOXHAM
ERSO TV broadcasts are produced in cooperation with Klassikaraadio and Helipilt Grupp OÜ.
ERSO thanks Tammo Sumera, Mait Visnapuu, Priit Perend, Eva-Liisa Heinmaa.
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