Raimo Kangro’s “Mass for Estonians who Died Innocently”

This year marks 80 years since the fateful 1944, when Estonia fell under Soviet occupation for decades. During the 2nd World War, nearly 80,000 Estonians left their homeland during the Great Fleeing. To commemorate the tragic destinies, Raimo Kangro’s “Mass for Estonians who Died Innocently, op. 40.” will be performed in Tartu St.Paul's Church on 31.8 at 7pm. The concert is free of charge.

To commemorate the tragic destinies of the Second World War, Raimo Kangro’s “Mass for Estonians who Died Innocently, op. 40.” will be performed in Tartu St Paul’s Cathedral (31st August at 7pm) and Tallinn St. Charles’ Cathedral (21st September, 2024 at 7pm).

The Mass is dedicated to refugees and victims whose lives, families and communities were torn apart and thrown into chaos. The concerts are free, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event is part of the Tartu 2024 additional programme.

Leelo Tungal, the composer’s widow, has written:
Raimo Kangro’s mass is not a political, but a humanistic work: it is dedicated to all those who could not see the restoration of Estonia’s independence. When writing the text, I was influenced by my own family history: seeing my mother and two uncles sent to Komi and Mordva prison camps, the deportation of my aunt with two toddlers, and my 84-year-old grandmother to Siberia – and the fact that my grandmother’s ashes remained in the soil of the Novosibirsk Region… We can’t change the past, but to remember both the good and the bad and to commemorate those who were wronged by fate.”

Text composition: Leelo Tungal
Performed by: Kädy Plaas-Kala (soprano), Juuli Lill (alto), Olari Viikholm (bass), Tartu Youth Choir, Project Choir of the Union of Estonian Mixed Choirs,

ÜENSO Orchestra:
I violin: Melissa Carita Ots, Aleksandra Serebrjakova, Danae Taamal (24.08 and 21.09), Toomas Hendrik Ellervee (31.08), Ingel Mättas, Eva-Maria Sumera, Diana Voronina (24.08 and 21.09), Ingel Tagaküla (31.08)
II violin: Kati Meibaum, Merily Leotoots, Helina Sommer, Elbe Reiter
Viola: Talvi Nurgamaa, Merike Heidelberg, Liisa Välja, Teele-Liis Tiidor (24.08 and 21.09), Kristiina Talen (31.08)
Cello: Oliver Ott, Anna Ryland Jones, Riina Erin
Double bass: Kaupo Olt, Janel Altroff (31.08 and 21.09), Regina Udod (24.08)
Flute: Eneli Hiiemaa (24.08 and 21.09), Anna Kelder-Prees (31.08)
Harp: Saale Kivimaker-Rull (31.08 and 21.09), Lisanne Rull (24.08)
Percussion: Maarja Nuut, Anni Karu, Miikael Metsala, Lars Erik Lend, Karl Johan Kullerkupp (24.08), Joosep Oliver Vinkel (31.08 and 21.09);Organ: Ulla Krigul (24.08), Kadri Toomoja (31.08 and 21.09)
Choir master: Markus Leppoja
Conductor: Jüri-Ruut Kangur