Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Estonia

Birth

:

April 28, 1972 in Tallinn, Estonia

 

Helena Tulve is a contemporary classical music composer from Estonia. She was born on January 21, 1972, in Tallinn, Estonia. Tulve grew up in a family of musicians, and her parents were both music teachers. Her father played the accordion, and her mother was a choir conductor. Tulve started playing the piano at the age of six and later learned to play the flute and the guitar. Tulve studied music at the Tallinn Music High School and later at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. She also studied composition with Jaan Rääts and Lepo Sumera. In 1994, Tulve graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre with a degree in composition. Tulve's music is influenced by Estonian folk music, nature, and spirituality. She often uses unconventional techniques and instruments in her compositions, such as the Jew's harp, the kannel (a traditional Estonian string instrument), and the shaman drum. Her music is characterized by its meditative and mystical qualities. Tulve's first major composition was "Lijnen" (1993), which was written for a chamber ensemble. The piece was well-received and won the Young Composer's Prize at the International Rostrum of Composers in Paris in 1994. This was a significant achievement for Tulve, as it brought her international recognition. In 1996, Tulve composed "Sula" for a mixed choir, which was inspired by the melting of snow in spring. The piece was performed at the UNESCO International Music Day in Tallinn and was later recorded by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. Tulve's most significant work to date is "Arboles lloran por lluvia" (2006), which was commissioned by the French Ministry of Culture. The piece was written for a large orchestra and features a solo cello. The title translates to "Trees Cry for Rain" and was inspired by the sounds of rain falling on leaves. The piece was premiered by the Orchestre National de Lorraine in France and has since been performed by orchestras around the world. In 2011, Tulve composed "L'ombre derrière toi" for a mixed choir and string quartet. The piece was inspired by the poetry of Paul Celan and was commissioned by the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. The piece was premiered at the World Music Days festival in Tallinn and has since been performed by choirs and string quartets around the world. Tulve's other notable works include "Silmaja" (1998) for a mixed choir and "Sula" (2000) for a chamber ensemble. She has also composed music for theater productions and films. Tulve has received numerous awards and honors for her work, including the Estonian Music Council's Annual Award for Best Composer in 2008 and the Estonian Cultural Endowment's Annual Award for Music in 2014. She has also been a composer-in-residence at various institutions, including the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris and the Villa Karo in Benin. In addition to her work as a composer, Tulve is also a professor of composition at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. She has mentored many young composers and has been a guest lecturer at universities around the world. In conclusion, Helena Tulve is a prominent contemporary classical music composer from Estonia. Her music is characterized by its meditative and mystical qualities and is often inspired by Estonian folk music, nature, and spirituality. Tulve has received international recognition for her work and has been commissioned by various institutions and orchestras around the world.

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