Estonian pianist returns to Calgary

Helgi Leesment

Marko Martin, who is well known to Canadian-Estonians as an accomplished musician, presented a solo piano concert on September 20 in Calgary, having arrived directly from Tallinn the previous day. His program included Franz Liszt’s Vallée d’Oberman , Funéraillesand Rigoletto:paraphrase du concert. Following intermission, he played Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. After enthusiastic applause, he treated the audience to Liszt’s Chasse-Neige for the encore. Evi Valge presented a bouquet of blue roses to Marko on behalf of Calgary Estonian music fans who were present at the concert in surprisingly large numbers considering the relatively small size of this ethnic group in the city. The event was held in the acoustically excellent Rozsa Centre at the University of Calgary

The concert was part of the series titled Honens Music as a Second Language: Laureate Marathon Weekend. As has been outlined in articles in previous issues of Ajakaja, Marko is a laureate of the year 2000 Honens international piano competition. Albertans have had several opportunities since then to hear this talented pianist. Over the years he has presented concerts at Lethbridge, Edmonton, Banff and Calgary, including a couple of concerts as the featured pianist with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Marko also spent time at a

Calgary high school, introducing students to various aspects of classical music. It was wonderful to hear Marko Martin once more this year.

The Honens organization has released a CD by Marko - a suitable Christmas gift for classical music fans. The program consists purely of compositions by Franz Liszt, including all of the selections presented at this September concert. Length of disc 69:28, cost $18.00 plus shipping charges. Available online at www.honens.com, or info@honens.com, or contact:

Honens
888 Tenth Street SW
Calgary, AB T2P 2X1
Tollfree tel. 1-800-249-7574
Tel. 403-299-0130, Fax 403-
299-0137

Commentary regarding the disk on the Honens website: Marko Martin is clearly a young pianist to watch. Laureate of the 2000 Honens International Piano Competition and prize winner at the 1998 Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, Martin is gaining a reputation for his inspired balance between energy and lyricism, especially in the works of Brahms, Liszt and Schubert. He is equally admired for his interpretation of music of the 20th century.

Liszt	Verdi: Rigoletto, Paraphrase du concert
	Chasse-neige (from Douze Etudes d’exécution transcendante, No. 12)
	Vallée d’Obermann (from Années de pèlerinage, First Year: Switzerland, No. 6)
	Bénédiction de Dieu dans la solitude (from Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, No. 3)
	Funérailles (from Harmonies poétiques et religieuses, No. 7)
	Après une lecture de Dante – Fantasia quasi sonata (from Années de pèlerinage, Second Year: Italy, No. 7) “Dante Sonata”

“25,000 Sing”-2004 Song Festival in Tallinn

Omni Television provides the following information about this 30-minute DVD documentary

Every five years, the small, northern European nation of Estonia hosts the world's largest combined choirs on one stage in a 2-day song festival called "Laulupidu". Laulupidu engages virtually every Estonian-in fact, almost 1/5 of the country shows up and most of the rest watch the live broadcast. It is a celebration of cultural identity with deep historic and political meaning that emotionally connects with every Estonian, whether or not they live in Estonia. This massive ritual of song is unrivalled in the world.

In Toronto, the extra-curricular Estonian School forms a choir of 60 second-generation Canadian youths of Estonian heritage with the hope that they'll become good enough to sing at the 2004 festival. This film follows the kids as they rehearse, get accepted to the festival (with 25,000 singers, you’d think everyone who applies would be accepted- not so!) and travel to Estonia to participate in this massive manifestation of cultural expression. The film allows these youths to anticipate what this trip will mean to them and, upon return, reflect on how it affected their view of their heritage.

Languages: English, Estonian

This DVD is available from:
Omni Television Video Store,
545 Lakeshore Blvd West ,
Toronto , ON, M5V 1A3
Price: $29.90 including taxes and shipping costs.

How to order:
Mail your request with:
Name of documentary: “25,000 Sing”,
payment of $29.90, and your mailing address.

Internet: www.omnitv.ca

Choose “Omni Television Ontario”, choose a show and scroll to “Omni Television documentary specials”. On next screen, elect the documentary by title and click on “25,000 Sing”.