As a country known for its active contemporary music scene and compact infrastructure, Estonia is
honoured to organise the prestigious annual contemporary music festival initiated by
the International Society for Contemporary Music (ISCM). In May 2-10, 2019 Tallinn and Tartu will
host hundreds of music professionals to present the freshest and most exciting new music by the
best Estonian as well as Latvian, Finnish and Swedish performers.
In total, five hundred submissions from composers across fifty countries were received, of which 99
works were chosen by 40 music experts to be performed in May 2019. Along with contemporary
academical music selection, the festival committee considered important to include interdisciplinary
projects in the programme.
By choosing the theme of this year’s World Music Days – „Through the forest of songs“ – the curators
of the festival are emphasizing the extremely diverse forms and manifestations of contemporary
music. The festival focuses on choral music in its various expressions of genre and style but also
explores relations between music (and sound) with other artistic disciplines, including the
intersections with architecture, theatre, audio-visual art, and literature.
Estonian Minister of Culture Mr Indrek Saar said: “For Estonia, it is indeed an honour to organise
such a prestigious international festival that brings together leading artists from all over the World.
Estonia is a country known for our love of music. Our composers, conductors and collectives have
always been welcomed in the most renown concert halls and key festivals. Every year, our musicians
claim influential awards. To host World Music Days event gives us a symbolic chance to thank the
international music community for the appreciation that has so generously been shown us and
receive the musical talent and decision makers in Estonia.”
Eesti kultuuriministri Indrek Saare hinnangul on Eestile suur au korraldada sedavõrd väärikat ja
rahvusvahelist festivali, mis toob kokku oma ala tipud kogu maailmast. “Eesti on muusikamaa, meie
heliloojaid, dirigente ja kollektiive on alati lahkelt vastu võetud maailma parimates kontserdisaalides
ja olulistel festivalidel, meie muusikud pälvivad igal aastal mõjukaid rahvusvahelisi auhindu. World
Music Days annab meile sümboolse võimaluse tänada selle tunnustuse eest, mis on eestlastele
muusikamaailmas osaks saanud ning võõrustada nüüd muusikaloojaid ja muusikavaldkonna
otsustajaid Eestis, “ kinnitab minister Indrek Saar.
The festival will include compositions from nearly 50 countries, hosting events at nearly 30 venues in
the capital of Estonia Tallinn and around it, in the recently opened Arvo Pärt’s Center and in the
second biggest Estonian city Tartu. Venues vary from factory buildings to concert halls, also including
art museums and other public spaces. Selected works will be performed by guests from Sweden –
Norrbotten NEO, Defunensemble from Finland, Latvian Radio Choir as well as Estonian National
Symphony Orchestra, the early and contemporary music vocal ensemble Vox Clamantis, Estonian
Philharmonic Chamber Choir, contemporary music ensemble U: Ensemble and others.
World Music Days will be held alongside with the festival Estonian Music Days, which will celebrate
its 40th anniversary. On that occasion works by 22 Estonian composers will be world premiered to
the international and local audience.
Opening of the festival is planned to take place on the 2th of May, in the award-winning Seaplane
Harbour (Estonian Maritime Museum) in Tallinn. The opening ceremony will include the world
premiere of the interdisciplinary composition by Tatjana Kozlova-Johannes.
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ISCM is the most important international network of members from around fifty countries, devoted
to the promoting and presentation of contemporary classical music. ISCM is an immense network in
the field of contemporary music. Each year, ISCM World Music Days festival is hosted in a different
city around the globe. Last years festival was held in Beijing, Vancouver and Tongyeong. In 2020 the
festival will take place in New Zealand.
Interviews, accreditation, additional information:
Anastassia Dratšova
anastassia@worldmusicdays2019.ee
+372 55916274