A special, one-night-only performance!
Featuring a world premiere by Estonian/Canadian composer Omar Daniel
The world-famous Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, together with maestro Tõnu Kaljuste, embarks this February on a long-awaited concert tour to the United States and Canada after a five-year hiatus. On Saturday, February 3, 2024, Soundstreams presents the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir’s return to Toronto for a special one-night-only performance at St. Paul’s Basilica, with music by Arvo Pärt and Palestrina, and a world premiere by Estonian/Canadian composer Omar Daniel. Their appearance for Soundstreams will be the only Canadian stop on the itinerary.
“Many consider the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir to be the world’s greatest chamber choir, most famous for their interpretations of music by their beloved countryman Arvo Pärt. […] Whether it’s secular or sacred, they bring such deep spirituality to everything they perform. The majestic and acoustically superb St. Paul’s Basilica is one of Toronto’s pre-eminent venues for choral music, another reason why the EPCC’s Toronto concerts usually sell out!”
— Lawrence Cherney, Founding Artistic Director of Soundstreams
About the program
Performed in the majestic and acoustically superb St. Paul’s Basilica, the program includes favourites from renowned Estonian contemporary classical music composer Arvo Pärt (like Magnificat, Nunc Dimittis, Dopo la Vittoria and Kanon Pokajanen) as well as works by Palestrina, a 16th century Italian composer and another great spiritualist of centuries past (including three selections of his Offertorium). Having previously premiered several Canadian works during past Soundstreams presentations, conductor Tõnu Kaljuste and the EPCC continue this tradition with the world premiere of a new work by Estonian/Canadian composer Omar Daniel, based on the sonnet “Antarktos” by H. P. Lovecraft.
There will also be a free Soundstreams TD Encounters discussion and performance event prior to the February mainstage concert – Arvo Pärt: Words & Music – on January 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET at Tartu College Event Space (3 Madison Avenue, Toronto). The evening will include a performance of works of Pärt featuring counter-tenor Daniel Cabena and excerpts of work by Omar Daniel. A discussion will follow surrounding Pärt’s unique way of setting voice to music, led by Omar Daniel and Canadian poet and author Anne Michaels. Visit Soundstreams.ca to register for this free event.
Returning to Toronto for the sixth time since 2000 under Soundstreams’ auspices, EPCC concerts usually sell out, so don’t miss your chance to experience this deeply-fulfilling international collaboration!
About The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Led by its founder Tõnu Kaljuste, The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC) is in the top rank of the world’s greatest vocal ensembles, famous as the foremost interpreters of music by their beloved countryman Arvo Pärt.
(Conductor and EPCC founder Tõnu Kaljuste. Photo credits: Soundstreams.)
“The particular configuration of Pärt and Palestrina, presented for the first time in these tour performances, has been devised by Tõnu Kaljuste. The maestro’s experience in programming and conducting Pärt’s repertoire is unmatched. He, and the ensembles he founded (the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra) have recorded standard-bearing performances of Pärt’s work for the past three decades. But Kaljuste’s experience with early composers runs exceptionally deep as well.”
— Peter Bouteneff, D.Phil., Arvo Pärt Project
About Soundstreams
Founded in 1982, Soundstreams is a global leader in the presentation of innovative, carefully curated and immersive musical experiences. It is committed to showcasing the work of living Canadian and global composers/musicians, bringing to focus contemporary conversations to its communities. Since its inception, it’s introduced audiences to works from some of the finest and most groundbreaking composers of our age, from R. Murray Schafer to Nicole Lizée.
(Photo credits: Soundstreams.)
Event details
Hosted by: Soundstreams
Type of event: classical vocal performance
Conductor: Tõnu Kaljuste
Performed works:
- Masterworks by Arvo Pärt, one of the most performed living composers in the world, including Magnificat, Nunc Dimittis, Dopo la Vittoria, and Kanon Pokajanen;
- Three selections from Palestrina’s great Offertorium;
- Antarktos Monodies, the world premiere of a new work by Estonian/Canadian composer Omar Daniel, based on the sonnet “Antarktos” by H. P. Lovecraft.
Date: Saturday, February 3, 2024
Start time: 7:30 PM ET
Duration: 80 minutes
Cost: C$27.60 (students, frontline workers & artists), $33.25, $61.50 & $89.75 (all ticket prices include taxes & a $5.00 fee)
Location: St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Power Street, Toronto, ON, M5A 3A8.
Audio sample: Listen here to get a sense of what the choir sounds like (best to start at minute 7:11 if you don’t speak Estonian).
Booking link: Book your tickets here
Contact Details: Soundstreams, 20 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, ON, M4Y 1J9, Canada; Event box office: 416-408-0208; soundstreams.ca; info@soundstreams.ca
Content warning: Not recommended for very young children.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. For more information, please contact St. Paul’s Basilica via email at StPaulsBasilica@archtoronto.org or call 416-364-7588.
Refund policy: Please contact the organizer.