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The Mixed Choir of Estonia Society
was created by the conductors Heli Jürgenson and Peeter Perens in Autumn 1993. The forerunner of this choir was the Music Department Mixed Choir of Estonia Society created in 1912. Between 1999-2001 the choir was conducted by Jüri-Ruut Kangur and during 2001-2006 by Joma Sarv. Since 1999 the main conductor is Heli Jürgenson. During it's 22 years of activity the choir has been in collaboration with several famous Estonian conductors (Tõnu Kaljuste, Jüri Alperten, Risto Joost, Erki Pehk, Hirvo Surva, Hando Põldmäe etc) and other great choirs. The most outstanding performances have been J. S, Bach "Matthäus-Passion", F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy “Walpurgis Night”, G. Verdi "Requiem", J. Brahms "German Requiem", C. Kreek "Estonian Requiem" and W. A. Mozart "Mass in C minor". The latest projects have been Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" in collaboration with the Estonian National Opera Symphony Orchestra and the Opera Choir, conducted by Arvo Volmer and Cyrillus Kreek "Requiem" in Minsk, Belarus, conducted by Erki Pehki and at the Port Noblessner in Tallinn, conducted by Tõnu Kaljuste. In the Spring of 2013 the choir won the First Prize in the mixed choir category at the prestigious competition "Tallinn 2013". In Autumn 2014 they performed F. Schubert's "Solemn High Mass" together with the Pärnu City Orchestra and international soloists. The Mixed Choir of Estonia Society has given concerts in Estonia, Europe, United States and Canada. Estonian composers music is very highly valued by the choir - classical choir works and also the creations from young composers. The Mixed Choir of Estonia Society has released a CD with Estonian music "Liugleb üks lind" (A Bird Is Gliding).
Arete Teemets
studied singing at Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre from 2004 to 2009 with Assoc. Prof. Nadja Kurem and from 2009 to 2012 at Conser- vatorio di Musica Santa Cecilia with maestra Rebecca Berg obtaining her MA degree with maximum grades. In 2010 A. Teemets was awarded the First Prize at Santa Chiara Classical Singing Competition in the category of sacred music, winning the Chori Praefecti award. She has also received the Third Prize from the International Opera Singers Competition 2011 in Spoleto (Concorso Comunita’ Europea). In the same year, she was awarded with the prize of Premio Via Vittoria which is given to the best singer of Conservatorio di Musica Santa Cecilia. In Estonia, she has been awarded the PLMF “Young Singer 2010” award of Marje and Kuldar Sink. A. Teemets has participated in the master classes by Gabriella Tucci, Renato Bruson, Elisabeth Norberg Schulz, Ines Salazar and Joanna Kozlovska. She has collaborated with such conductors and pianists as Carlo Palleschi, Andreas Kowalewitz, Rupert Dussmann, Marco Boemi, Enza Ferrari, Marco Forgione and Mihkel Poll. Her roles include Madama Vezzosa (Ciampi - Le Favola dei Tre Gobbi), Lisetta (Leo - La Zingaretta), Kate Pinkerton (Puccini - Madama Butterfly), Rosina (Mozart - La Finta Semplice), Genovieffa (Puccini - Suor Angelica), Nella (Puccini - Gianni Schicchi), Sandrina (Mozart - La Finta Giardiniera) etc. She has performed at Teatro Lirico Sperimentale di Spoleto, Estonian National Opera, EAMT Opera Studio etc. In addition she appeared with world-famous Italian baritone Renato Bruson celebrating his 50 years at opera stages. In 2012, she had a solo recital at the largest opera festi- val in Estonia, “Saaremaa Opera Days”, being the youngest opera singer ever to have appeared on such concert.
Tuuri Dede
started her vocal studies at the Georg Ots Tallinn Music School, where she studied with Prof. Marika Eensalu. She got her bachelor´s degree at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre with Prof. Teele Jõks. 2010-2011 she spent a year studying in Milan at the Conservatorio di Giuseppe Verdi with Prof Cristina Rubin. In 2016 T. Dede will graduate from the Sibelius Academy's Opera Program, where she has studied with Prof. Annika Ollinkari. Her repertoire includes such opera roles as: Dorabella (W. A. Mozart "Cosi fan tutte"), Frida (Kalevi Aho "Frida y Diego"), Mother, Dragonfly and Teacup (M. Ravel "L´enfant et les sortileges"), Ariel (J. Sibelius "Myrsky"). T. Dede has performed in such vocal masterpieces as G. F. Händel "Judas Maccabeus" and "La Resurrezione", G. Rossini "Petite messe solennelle", C. Saint-Saëns "Oratorio de Noël", J. Sibelius "Kullervo" etc and performed many song cycles such as J. Sibelius Op. 88 and Op. 50, E. Rautavaara "Fünf sonette an Orpheus" Op. 9, Ravel "Chansons Madecasses“, M. Raveli "Chansons Madecasses", G. Mahler "Des knaben Wunderhorn", E. Tamberg "Three Simple Songs" Op. 76 etc. T. Dede has participated in master classes by Jorma Silvasti, Soile Isokoski, Franz Lukasovsky, Mona Julsrud, Maris Kupcs, Helena Kaupova etc. As for competitions, she has taken part in Mart Saar Singing Competition in Estonia, where she won the 1st Prize and in International Sibelius Singing Competition, where she won the 4th Prize and a Special Prize from the Sibelius's family. In January 2016 T. Dede made her debut at the Berlin Philharmonic and now she is giving different solo concerts in Finland and Estonia.
REQUIEM
MIXED CHOIR OF ESTONIA SOCIETY
conductor Maaja Roos (USA)
Arete Teemets (soprano)
Tuuri Dede (mezzo-soprano)
Tamar Nugis (baritone)
Piret Aidulo (organ)
Heli Jürgenson (choir master)
Programme: H. Tobias-Duesberg, R. Tobias
PROGRAMME
2016
PROGRAMME:
Helen Tobias-Duesberg
- Requiem
Intrada (fugato)
Requiem aeternam
Kyrie eleison
Dies irae
Tuba mirum
Rex traemende
Recordare
Confutatis maledictis
Lacrimosa
Domine Jesu Christe
Quam olim Abrahae
Hostias Sanctus
Hosanna
Benedictus
Agnus Dei
Requiem aeternam
Rudof Tobias
Two religious songs:
- Otsekui hirv
- Eks teie tea
Piret Aidulo
began her music studies with piano (Prof Leelo Rõuk) at the Viljandi Children's Music School. She continued her studies at the Tallinn Music High School in the piano class of Helle Jantson and afterwards at the Tallinn Conservatoire, where in 1987 she specialized in teaching and conducting (Prof Olga Tungla) and in 1991 she continued her studies with organ (Prof Hugo Lepnurm). She got her Master's Degree in 1998. P. Aidulo has worked as a choir conductor and an organist at the Church of The Holy Ghost in Tallinn (1986-1989), as a music teacher at the Hiiu Elementary School (1986-1994) and at the EELC Church Music School as an organ teacher (1991-1999). Since 1989 she is working at the Kaarli Congregation as an organist and choir conductor and since 1991 she is also their head organist and musical director. Since 1989 she has lead the congregation's concert- and youth choir and since 1991 the Vexilla Regis vocal ensemble. Since 2002 P. Aidulo is also an organ and organ music history Professor at the Church Music department of the EELC Institute of Theology. She has given solo recitals as an organist and performed with various music ensembles in Estonia and abroad. She has collaborated with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Estonian National Opera Orchestra, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Estonian National Male Choir, Collegium Consonante and has taken part in many outstanding performances, for example Eduard Tubin "Requiem" and Rudolf Tobias "Jonah's Mission", Enn Võrk "Valvake", Arthur Honegger "A Christmas Cantata", Leoš Janāček "Glagolitic Mass" as well as in Ferenc Liszt creations, Gustav Mahler symphonies etc. P. Aidulo has been the general manager of the Sacred Music Song Festival in 2000 and 2005. She is a member of the EELC Church Music Association (chairman of the board in 1993 and 1996-2005) and founder of the Association of Estonian Professional Musicians (1998). In 2006 she recieved the Hugo Lepnurm's Scholarship. In 2004 Estonian composer Urmas Sisask written a piece 'Hüljatud lapsed' (Abandoned Children) for P. Aidulo and Aabi Ausmaa.
Maaja Duesberg Roos
comes from a long line of musicians and musical traditions, starting from her grandfather Rudolf Tobias and mother Helen Tobias-Duesberg who were both well-known Estonian composers. At first she pursued piano at the Juilliard School of Music in New York, her studies continued at the Manhattan School of Music and after she began to pursue her conducting degree. M. Roos has been the musical director at the Nightingale-Bamford School, the Waterford School and the Deerfield Academy. The Columbia University invited her to establish SIPA Chorale (School of International and Public Affairs) with a goal to promote world culture and languages. The first main event of this project was introducing Estonian music to American audiences - a sold out concert "Estonian Reflections" at the Lincoln Center. At the concert they performed pieces from Arvo Pärt, H. Tobias-Duesberg and Veljo Tormis. Most recently M. Roos had a tour in South Korea and Hong Kong with an international choir and orchestra of hundred members, where they performed W. A. Mozart "Requiem" and pieces by Estonian composers. The concerts were such a success that even humble Asian people gave a standing ovation after hearing Rudolf Tobias music.
Tamar Nugis
started studying classical singing at the Heino Eller's Tartu Music School (Prof. Viviane Kallaste). In 2014 he graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre with bachelor's degree and in 2016 with master's degree cum laude (Prof. Taavi Tampuu). In 2013 T. Nugis won the 1st Prize and a Special Prize for the best song interpretation at the 2nd National Vocalist Competition dedicated to Vello Jürna and in 2016 the 2nd Prize at the 7th Mart Saar Vocal Competition. His most important opera roles include: W. A. Mozart "Le Nozze di Figaro" - Count Almaviva (Sibelius Academy, 2016), E. Tubin "Reigi Teacher" - Mortiadimüüja (Theatre Vanemuine, 2016), T. Aints "The Old Barny" - Ärni (Theatre Vanemuine, 2016), O Ehala "The Imp" - Mõhk (Theatre Vanemuine, 2016), G. Donizetti “L’elisir d’amore” - Belcore (EAMT Opera Studio/Estonian National Opera, 2015), G. Menotti “The Telephone” - Ben (2015), G. Donizetti “Il Campanello” - Enrico (EAMT Opera Studio/ Estonian National Opera, 2014), D. Cimarosa “Il Matrimonio Segreto” - Count Robinson (EAMT Opera Studio/Estonian National Opera, 2013), G. Rossini “La scala di seta” - Germano (EAMT Opera Studio, 2012). T. Nugis has collaborated with outstanding conductors and directors form Estonia and abroad, incl Georg Malvius, Risto Joost, Giorgio Bongiovanni, Thomas Wiedenhofer, Janne Lehmusvuo, Markus Lehtinen, Roman Baskin, Taavi Kull, Lauri Sirp and many others. Baritone T. Nugis has performed as a soloist in vocal masterpieces such as G. Fauré "Requiem", C. Saint-Saëns “Oratorio de Noël”, M. A. Charpentier, "Te Deum" and F. Schubert "Mass”. He has also participated in several master classes: Asta Krikščiūnaite, Margarita Gruzdeva, Eva Märtson, Alexander Schmalcz etc.
Heli Jürgenson
has studied conducting at the Georg Ots Tallinn Music School and Tallinn Conservatory, where she's teaching conducting since 1992. H. Jürgenson is a conductor of the Mixed Choir of Estonia Society from the beginning in 1993. She has also conducted the Tallinn Kaarli Congregation Concert Choir (1999-2003) and been a guest conductor of several other choirs. H. Jürgenson has worked as a chorus master at the National Opera Estonia (2001-2011) and produced several operas and different vocal symphonic masterpieces. Since September 2011 H. Jürgenson is the chorus master of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. During five seasons she has produced many a capella concert programmes as well as vocal masterpieces and operas. H. Jürgenson has worked as a chorus master in concert organizations such as Eesti Kontsert, Crescendo, PromFest, 21st Century Symphony Orchestra, Pärnu City Orchestra and produced vocal symphonic masterpieces: C. Kreek "Requiem", W. A. Mozart "Mass in C minor", G. Verdi "Requiem", J. Brahms "German Requiem", M. Kõlar "Pirita Mass" , F. Schubert "Solemn High Mass", "Mass in G Major", F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy "Lobgesang“ etc. In 2015 she was the artistic director of the International Choir Competition "Tallinn 2015". Since 2002 H. Jürgenson is also known as a conductor at the Estonian Song Celebrations. In 2017 she will be the chief-conductor of the Youth Song Celebration. In 2007 she was given the EELC 3rd Class Ribbon Order of the Cross. 2013 Estonian Choir Society chose her as the conductor of the year and the same year she was given a grant from the Gustav Ernesaks Foundation.