Independence Day to be Celebrated in England with Veljo Tormis Concert

01.03.2010

On the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, 24 February, a concert of Veljo Tormis’s music will take place in the United Kingdom, during which the composer’s works will be performed by the chamber choir The 24, directed by John Potter. The composer himself has been invited to attend the independence day event taking place in York in Central England.

On the programme are the choir cycles “Ingrian Evenings” and “Karelian Destiny” plus a selection of Estonian lyric folk songs. The concert will begin will the composer Tormis giving an introduction to his works.

Veljo Tormis has long ties to the University of York. The composer has visited there before to unlock the secrets of folk songs, and at the initiative of John Potter a Tormis archive has been created at the university. This time the Estonian composer’s visit to Central England includes workshops for young composers, open rehearsals, and interviews. BBC Radio 3 is preparing an extensive programme on the composer’s works prior to his visit.
All of the events are made possible with the help of the Estonian Embassy in London.

Anneli Kimber
Press spokesperson
Estonian Embassy in London
Anneli.Kimber@mfa.ee
Tel: +44 20 7838 53 90
Mob: +44 77689 13554
www.estonia.gov.uk