Glasperlenspiel 2024: BIRTH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

Vox Clamantis, artistic director and conductor Jaan-Eik Tulve Gregorian chant, Tournai mass, Guillaume de Machaut

The concert of the internationally acclaimed early music ensemble Vox Clamantis, which has held a prominent place in Estonian musical life for more than a quarter-century, is dedicated to St John’s birthday, or Midsummer Day, the eve of which (Midsummer Eve) is celebrated exactly on 6th of July according to the old church calendar. At the heart of the programme is Gregorian chant that is considered to be a cornerstone of Western art music and which has had a strong influence on our musical culture up to the present day. It has also been a common interest of the Vox Clamantis members. The conductor of the ensemble, Jaan-Eik Tulve, has said that it is and will remain the musical axis of Vox Clamantis, and that the world of Gregorian chant is so inexhaustible that it provides a source of inspiration for all kinds of music. Alongside the monodic Gregorian chant, the oldest surviving polyphonic mass cycle, The Tournai Mass, will also be performed in St John’s Church.

Formed in 1996 by Jaan-Eik Tulve, Vox Clamantis unites professional musicians from different fields who have a common interest in Gregorian chant. In addition to it, ensemble often performs early polyphony and contemporary music from Estonian composers such as Arvo Pärt, Helena Tulve, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Tõnis Kaumann, Toivo Tulev, Tatjana Kozlova-Johannes, Tõnu Kõrvits and others. Vox Clamantis has collaborated with renowned artists and ensembles, including Arianna Savalli, Jean-Claude Pennetier, Marco Ambrosini, Yair Dalali, Dhafer Youssef, the Amsterdam Cello Octet, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra. The ensemble has recorded several highly acknowledged albums: Liszt – Via crucis (Mirare, 2012), Pärt – Adam’s Lament (ECM, 2014), Arvo Pärt. The Deer’s Cry (ECM, 2016) and Sacrum convivium (Mirare, 2018). Vox Clamantis has given concerts across the globe and has participated in Sydney Festival, Hong Kong Arts Festival, RCM’s 21C festival in Toronto, Manchester International Festival, La Folle Journée festival in both France and Japan, the International Piano Festival of La Roque d’Anthéron and at many other venues and festivals. In 2017, Vox Clamantis received the National Culture Award of the Republic of Estonia and in 2011, the Prize of Endowment for Music of Culture Endowment of Estonia.

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