The Pan-Baltic Choral Series, Presented by the Institute of Sacred Music, will begin with two concerts by Estonian ensembles. Both concerts take place in Marquand Chapel, 409 Prospect Street, New Haven at 8 PM
Thursday, September 25
Orthodox Singers, led by Valery Petrov, will present a program of music by Arvo Pärt, Andres Uibo, and traditional Georgian,Old Russian, Syrian, Serbian, and Greek chants. The ensemble has, over the past 16 years, established a reputation as one of the finest professional choral ensembles in Estonia, receiving awards at several international competitions and participating frequently in various European music festivals. The ensemble consists of professional musicians who are proficient in the performance practice styles of various epochs. The primary creative focus of the choir is early Orthodox chant, rarely heard in concert performances. Their repertoire also includes great works of Russian sacred choral literature, and music of Estonian composers Kirillus Kreek, Kuldar Sink, Veljo Tormis, and Arvo Pärt.
Saturday, September 27
The Heinavanker Ensemble will perform Renaissance music of Johannes Ockeghem and Estonian folk hymns. Heinavanker (the Haywain) is a vocal ensemble whose activity is inspired by older sacred music. The ensemble has got its name after the famous altarpiece of Hieronymos Bosch (1453-1516). This rare piece of art represents a huge wagonload of hay rolling through the world vexed by agony and greed towards destruction. However, atop the hayload there sounds beautiful music. Does the seething below, the ghastly dream, really fail to reach it?…
Both concerts are free and open to the public; no tickets are required.
More information is available by calling 203-432-5062.
The series will continue in January with Baltic Voices, with Paul Hillier conducting Yale Schola Cantorum.