Festival 2007
Tuesday, August 7th 2007 at 7 pm
Kuressaare Cultural Centre (Tallinna St. 6)
OPENING CONCERT
Festival Trio
Andres Paas (piano, Estonia)
Stepan Jakovitsh (violin, Russia)
Rustam Komatshkov (cello, Russia)
Programme:
Sergey Rachmaninov - "Trio Elegiaque" G minor, op. posth.
Hans Eklund - "Hommage a Dag Wirén"
Franz Schubert - Piano Trio E flat Major, Op. 100 (D 929)
The trio of Andres Paas (piano), Stepan Yakovich (violin) and Rustam Komachkov (cello) had their debut concert in Kuressaare two years ago. The high-light of the concert was their interpretation of Rachmaninovs Trio Elegiac. The Estonian pianist and the Russian string players had a complete understanding of each other. The unity of musical feeling gave birth to many emotionally high moments that earned a standing ovation in the end of the concert. (Estonian daily newspaper Postimees, 15.08.2005). Rachmaninovs music will open the 13th Kuressaare Chamber Music Days.
Last year Andres Paas was awarded a cultural prize of the Estonian Cultural Endowment called Kultuuripärl (Pearl of Culture) for the organisation of the Kuressaare Chamber Music Days and his career as a pianist. His ensemble partners are the graduates of the Moscow Conservatory, both acclaimed chamber musicians and soloists. Stepan Yakovich is the concertmaster of the chamber orchestra The Moscow Soloists led by Yuri Bashmet. Cellist Rustam Komachkov who has participated successfully in several international competitions enjoys a busy solo career and performs often as a member of an ensemble. He has recorded music with many ensembles and his first solo CD was released recently.
Wednesday, August 8th 2007 at 10 pm
SPA "Rüütli" Ritter Hall (Pargi 12)
VISIONS
Sofia Rubina Trio
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Sofia Rubina (vocal)
Julia Anstal (flute)
Marek Talts (guitar)
Programme: jazz improvisations
Singer Sofia Rubina is known for her powerful, rich and expressive voice - she is considered to be the future star of Estonian jazz. In 2004 she won the Grand Prix prizes of the international jazz competitions Lady Summertime in Finland and Nõmme Jazz in Estonia and the following year she won the Second Prize at the competition Sony Jazz Stage that took place in Latvia. Rubina´s repertoire includes rhythmic jazz dance music as well as powerful ballads and jazz music based on yiddish singing traditions. "I always enjoy taking risks," says the singer, "the more Ive experimented, the better I feel afterwards."
At the improvisation concert Visions Sofia Rubina is partnered up with young and passionate jazz musicians Julia Anstal and Marek Talts. Flutist Julia Anstal who studies jazz music in Sweden won the Uno Naissoo Competition in 2005, guitarist Marek Talts performs much with his jazz quartet and collaborates closely with an Estonian singer Liisi Koikson.
Thursday, August 9th 2007 at 7 pm
Kuressaare Cultural Centre (Tallinna St. 6)
FANTASIES
Banu Sözüar (piano, Turkey-Germany)
Programme:
Joseph Haydn - Sonata No. 59 E flat major, Hob. XVI/49
Johannes Brahms - Two Rhapsodies, Op. 79
Arvo Pärt - Variations for the Healing of Arinushka
Arvo Pärt - Alina
Ulvi Cemal Erkin - Sonata for Piano
Sergey Rakhmaninov - Preludes Op. 23
Next in line the outstanding pianists performing at the Kuressaare Chamber Music Days is a Turkish pianist Banu Sözüar who is praised for her brilliant technique and virtuosity as well as for her thoughtful and soulful performances. "Convincing virtuosity: Banu Sözüar, graceful piano lady from Istanbul turned out to be this highly energetic person with outstanding physical strength." (Wiener Zeitung).
The now famous and internationally acclaimed pianists career started off at the age of 15 when she performed Piano Concerto No 1 in E Flat Major by Liszt with the Istanbul Radio Symphony Orchestra.
For the recital in Kuressaare Banu Sözüar has chosen to perform a classical repertoire together with the piano sonatas by the Turkish 20th century composer, Ulvi Cemal Erkin and the Estonian composer Arvo Pärts most famous piano pieces For Alina and Variations on the Healing of Arinushka.
In collaboration with the Turkish Embassy
Thursday, August 9th 2007 at 10 pm
Kuressaare Castle (Lossihoov 1)
CASTLE MUSIC
The Voice of Ancient Russia: Vocal Septet SVETILEN (Russia)
Maria Uvarova (soprano), Tatyana Vagatshova (soprano),
Lyubov Shagalova (alto), Dmitry Garkavi (tenor), Sergey Kondratiev (tenor), Roman Holodov (bass), Dmitry Lushnikov (bass)
Programme: Russian sacred vocal music
Vocal septet Svetilen - three female and four male voices - shows off a fresh approach to such a phenomenon in the music history as Russian sacred a cappella singing tradition. Also the concert clothing singers wear is unique and together with the performed music it will all bring a piece of the Ancient Russian culture closer to the listener. In addition to liturgic music they sing spiritual folk songs and some modern music. Instruments used to accompany the singers are traditional Russian instruments.
This hugely popular ensemble has gained attention both in Russia and outside, and won several prizes at international competitions. It has had successful concert tours in Austria, the Czech Republic, the USA, Scandinavia and several times in France. Svetilen has released five CD recordings of their music.
Friday, August 10th 2007 at 10 pm
SPA "Rüütli" Ritter Hall (Pargi 12)
EXOTIC PROMENADES
"Noche de luna y flor": Spanish rhythms and flamenco II
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Rachel Lynn Bowman (soprano, dance, Austria)
Carmen Fernandez (vocal, Spain)
Andreas Maria Germek (guitar, Austria)
Programme: Pedrell, Albéniz, Granados, Turina, de Falla , etc.
The concert, a synthesis of flamenco and classical music, follows the last years hot and passionate flamenco performance.
Works from Albéniz to Granados and de Falla will be performed either in flamenco inspired arrangements, or in their original form interspersed with flamenco song and dance an exciting exchange between two traditions. Both are brought into a new and fascinating light.
The audience has the opportunity to meet again with guitarist Andreas Maria Germek who this year performs with Rachel Lynn Bowman and Carmen Fernandez. Bowman has studied classical music as well as singing, flamenco and castanet playing but Fernandez is a representative of pure flamenco culture as she was born and raised within the flamenco traditions.
In collaboration with the Spanish and Austrian Embassy
Saturday, August 11th 2007 at 7 pm
Kuressaare Cultural Centre (Tallinna St. 6)
FINALE
Auer Quartet (Hungary)
Vilmos Olah (violin)
Gabor Beran (violin)
Csaba Galfi (vioa)
Akos Takacs (cello)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - String Quartet A major, KV 464
Zoltan Kodaly - String Quartet No. 2, Op. 10
Franz Schubert - String quartet No. 14 in D minor ("Death and the Maiden")
The festival´s final concert presents the outstanding Auer Quartet, one of the foremost string quartets in the world. The quartet was founded in 1990 and had its international break-through in 1997 when it won the First Prize, Audience Prize and Special Prize at the 7th International String Quartet Competition in London, the chairman of the jury being Yehudi Menuhin. Its recordings are critically acclaimed and in 2000 the Hungarian Government honoured them the prestigious Liszt Award.
At the final concert of the festival the greatest hits of the quartet music will be performed - Quartet in A Major by Mozart, Quartet Death and The Maiden by Schubert and Quartet No 2 by the great Hungarian 20th century composer, Zoltan Kodaly.
In collaboration with the Hungarian Institute and Hungarian Embassy