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Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir National Symphony Orchestra Ireland Anja Lechner, cello Tõnu Kaljuste, conductor Erkki-Sven Tüür Passio Erkki-Sven Tüür Illusion Erkki-Sven Tüür Cristallisatio Tõnu Kõrvits Laul (Song) Tõnu Kõrvits Peegeldused tasasest maast (Reflections from a Quiet Landscape) Tõnu Kõrvits Dreams 4–7 from Seven Dreams of Seven Birds Arvo Pärt Symphony No 1 Arvo Pärt In principio The Grammy…
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
National Symphony Orchestra Ireland
Anja Lechner, cello
Tõnu Kaljuste, conductor
Erkki-Sven Tüür Passio
Erkki-Sven Tüür Illusion
Erkki-Sven Tüür Cristallisatio
Tõnu Kõrvits Laul (Song)
Tõnu Kõrvits Peegeldused tasasest maast (Reflections from a Quiet Landscape)
Tõnu Kõrvits Dreams 4–7 from Seven Dreams of Seven Birds
Arvo Pärt Symphony No 1
Arvo Pärt In principio
The Grammy Award-winning Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, one of the world’s most acclaimed vocal ensembles, joins National Symphony Orchestra Ireland and cellist Anja Lechner for an extraordinary evening celebrating the rich musical landscape of Estonia. Under the direction of its long-time artistic partner Tõnu Kaljuste, the choir brings its distinctive sound, precision and expressive depth to a programme of powerful and atmospheric works by three of Estonia’s most celebrated composers.
At its heart is the music by Arvo Pärt, whose deeply spiritual and meditative style has captivated audiences around the globe. The choir perform Pärt’s monumental In principio, a dramatic setting of the opening words of the Gospel of John and features Pärt’s striking Symphony No. 1, an early work that reveals the composer’s distinctive musical voice.
The evening highlights further masterpieces by fellow Estonian composers Erkki-Sven Tüür and Tõnu Kõrvits, whose music moves between shimmering orchestral textures, luminous choral writing and moments of profound stillness. Internationally acclaimed cellist Anja Lechner, celebrated for her lyrical artistry and long association with contemporary and Baltic repertoire, takes centre stage in Kõrvits’s Dreams 4–7 from Seven Dreams of Seven Birds. Her cello becomes both narrator and dreamer, evoking birds in flight, changing landscapes and the quiet beauty of the natural world.
The unique partnership between the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Anja Lechner, National Symphony Orchestra Ireland and Tõnu Kaljuste brings these evocative works vividly to life in a very special concert.
Presented by NCH
The National Concert Hall’s ECM 2026 series, celebrating the pioneering German label, is part of Ireland’s Cultural Programme for the 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union, supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
