Estonian Music & Art News - Week 3, November 2025

Paul Hindemith was a composer who, on one hand, was very traditional: his orchestration style is reminiscent of late Romanticism, and his forms are deeply rooted in contrapuntal writing, giving his music a familiar flavor. On the other hand, he developed his own musical system, which allowed him to approach harmony in a unique way, effectively blending tonality and atonality. His music balances consonance and dissonance, placing it somewhere between Béla Bartók’s extended ton

Estonian Music & Art News - Week 2, November 2025

Estonian Music & Art News - Week 1, November 2025

Estonian Music & Art News - Week 5, October 2025

Estonian Music & Art News - Week 3, October 2025

Milagros by soprano Liliana Guerrero and pianist James Maverick is a remarkable 13-track album that brings together the music of Latin American women composers, published by Patricia Caicedo and Mundo Arts. Featuring works by Ernestina Lecuona, Yvette Souviron, Mariela Rodríguez, and a world premiere commission by Edna Alejandra Longoria-Valdez, the album stands as a significant contribution to the rediscovery and celebration of voices that have too often been overlooked in t

Estonian Music & Art News - Week 4, September 2025

I don’t particularly believe in the idea that a single deity created the universe with a plan, but I do believe in some composers who do, among them J.S. Bach and the great Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.

Estonian Music & Art News - Week 2, September 2025

As one of the most celebrated Estonian composrs, Arvo Pärt turns 90 on 11 September 2025. His life’s work stretches over turbulent political eras, spiritual searching, radical stylistic change, and global acclaim. In this blog post we explore Pärt’s lifetime achievements, his place in Estonian and world music, and the many events marking this milestone birthday.

The cello in classical music holds a place of unmatched depth and resonance. Its voice—warm, human-like, and infinitely expressive—has made it one of the most beloved instruments in the world. Tracing its origins reveals a journey from Renaissance string innovations to the modern symphony orchestra, and from intimate chamber settings to the grandest concert halls. Today, the cello has stepped far beyond the confines of classical tradition, becoming a powerful voice in genres

Estonia, despite its small population of just over 1.3 million, holds a significant place in the world of classical music. Over the past century, Estonian composers have contributed works of striking originality, blending Baltic folk traditions with contemporary trends. From the early 20th century’s national romanticism to today’s digitally distributed works, Estonia’s music scene has continually evolved, embracing new creative and technological possibilities.

Orpheus in the Underworld—despite its name—is not a solemn myth retelling, but a riotous romp through gods, mortals, and music. Rahvusooper Estonia’s dazzling production lives up to Offenbach’s original spirit of irreverence, wit, and pure entertainment. Staged in Estonian with subtitles in both Estonian and English, this performance embraces the opera’s comedic chaos and turns it into a vibrant, feel-good spectacle.

Last week, I finally attended a performance I’ve been waiting for a long time—Lohengrin by Richard Wagner, staged by the Estonian National Opera (Rahvusooper Estonia). Yes, it’s the one with the famous wedding march, but this opera is far more than just that melody. It’s a monumental work of Romantic grandeur, and experiencing it live was unforgettable. The music was striking, the singers were nothing short of unbelievable, and the costume design was absolutely stunning.

Estonian Music & Art News - Week 4, April 2025

Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev was born on April 23, 1891, in Sontsovka, a rural estate in what is now Ukraine. He grew up in an intellectually stimulating household—his father was an agronomist, and his mother, an amateur pianist, became his first teacher and introduced him to music early on. By the age of five, Prokofiev had composed his first piano piece; at nine, he was already sketching out operas.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750), one of the titanic figures of Western music, was born in Eisenach Germany, into a prolific musical family

Gustav Mahler is often regarded as one of the most profound and visionary composers of all time.

Sergei Rachmaninoff was born on April 1, 1873, in Oneg, Russia, into an aristocratic family with deep musical roots.