Role

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Ensemble

Period

:

Renaissance

 

 

Baroque

 

 

Contemporary

 

Voces Musicales is a classical music ensemble based in Tallinn, Estonia. The group was founded in 1999 by conductor and artistic director Risto Joost, who remains at the helm of the ensemble to this day. Over the past two decades, Voces Musicales has established itself as one of the leading choral groups in Estonia and beyond, with a reputation for excellence in both performance and programming. The origins of Voces Musicales can be traced back to the early 1990s, when a group of young musicians in Tallinn began to explore the rich choral tradition of Estonia. This tradition dates back centuries, and is characterized by a unique blend of folk melodies, religious music, and modernist experimentation. The young musicians were inspired by the work of composers such as Arvo Pärt, Veljo Tormis, and Erkki-Sven Tüür, who had helped to establish Estonia as a center of contemporary choral music. In 1999, Risto Joost founded Voces Musicales as a way to bring together the best young singers in Estonia and create a platform for them to perform this rich and varied repertoire. The group quickly gained a reputation for its high standards of musicianship and its innovative programming, which combined traditional Estonian music with works by contemporary composers from around the world. Over the years, Voces Musicales has performed at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals in Europe and beyond. The group has appeared at the Edinburgh International Festival, the Bergen International Festival, the Rheingau Musik Festival, and the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, among others. They have also collaborated with some of the leading orchestras and conductors of our time, including the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. One of the highlights of Voces Musicales' career came in 2014, when they were invited to perform at the BBC Proms in London. This is one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in the world, and the group's performance was widely praised for its energy, precision, and emotional depth. The program included works by Estonian composers Arvo Pärt and Veljo Tormis, as well as pieces by Bach, Brahms, and Ligeti. In addition to their performances, Voces Musicales has also been recognized for their recordings. The group has released several albums on the Estonian label ERP, including a critically acclaimed recording of Arvo Pärt's "Te Deum" and "Cantus in Memory of Benjamin Britten." They have also recorded works by Estonian composers Tõnu Kõrvits and Galina Grigorjeva, as well as a program of Christmas music from around the world. Throughout their career, Voces Musicales has remained committed to promoting Estonian music and culture on the international stage. They have commissioned and premiered works by Estonian composers such as Tõnu Kõrvits, Helena Tulve, and Margo Kõlar, and have collaborated with Estonian folk musicians to create new arrangements of traditional songs. They have also worked to bring Estonian music to new audiences through educational programs and outreach initiatives. In recognition of their contributions to Estonian music and culture, Voces Musicales has received numerous awards and honors over the years. In 2015, they were awarded the Order of the White Star, one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a civilian in Estonia.

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