Panel Discussion – The Paths of Estonian Contemporary Music in the World / EMP • Estonian Music Days 2026 „STORIES“ / EMP 2026

April 12 at 20:00 

Estonian Centre for Contemporary Music (Pühavaimu 9) 

Panel Discussion – Freedom, Boundaries, and Sounds: The Paths of Estonian Contemporary Music in the World 

Free admission (entrance is definitely granted when taking 0-ticket from pre-sale)

After World War II, the European musical landscape was split in two. On one side, the Soviet Union – defined by ideology, censorship, and borders. On the other, the free West – a world of festivals, studios, experimentation, and international networks.

Today’s discussion, however, focuses on the present: do young Estonian musicians have sufficient institutional support to consistently pursue their craft, develop artistically, and gain visibility on the international stage? Or does the natural ecosystem of contemporary music inevitably draw talented youth back toward larger cultural hubs?

The discussion will be held in English.

The panel discussion is held in collaboration with the Estonian Centre for Contemporary Music.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

▩ 11.04 St. John’s Church, Tallinn: Ellerhein Girls’ Choir | M. Valkonen*, K. Matson*, V. Tormis, A. Pärt, U. Sisask

▩ 11.04 Club Hall: „The Birth of Light“ | Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, E. Kont, V. Krigul, J. Mikk | M. Rostovtseva*, A. I. Susi*, L. Jürgens*

▩ 11.04 Estonia Concert Hall Café | Panel Discussion: What is the Breeding Ground for New Music Theatre? (free admission, max 30 participants, see the 0-ticket from pre-sale)

▩ 11.04 Estonia Concert Hall: Estonian National Male Choir & Ensemble of the Estonian Electronic Music Society | A. Kruusmaa*, J. Tarm*, G. J. Salumäe* jt

▩ 12.04 MUBA: String Quartet M4GNET | A.-M. Noorhani*, T. Kozlova-Johannes*, G. Kulla*, M. M. Gildemann*

▩ 12.04 House of Blackheads (Olaf’d Guild Hall) | „Estonian Music Abroad“ 

▩ 12.04 Estonian Centre for Contemporary Music | Panel Discussion – Freedom, Boundaries, and Sounds: The Paths of Estonian Contemporary Music in the World (free admission, max 30 participants, see the 0-ticket from pre-sale)

▩ 13.04 Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Concert Hall, Main Hall: EMTA sinfonietta | Student New Works

▩ 14.04 Estonian National Opera Chamber Hall: Ludensemble | M. Liik*, E. Masing*, L. Jõeleht*, M. M. Gildemann, J. Reinvere

▩ 14.04 Estonian Centre for Contemporary Music | Residentuu:r 2026: Transmission. Communication. Media 3 (free admission, max 30 participants, see the 0-ticket from pre-sale)

▩ 15.04 Estonian National Opera Chamber Hall: Broken Frames Syndicate (Germany) „HELLO DARKNESS“ | A. Thorvaldsdottir, P. Schäfer, S. Hennies, M. Maltis, T. Kozlova-Johannes*, M. Gordon

▩ 16.04 St. John’s Chuch, Tallinn: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir & Cantoque Ensemble (Iceland) | H. Tulve*, R. E. Maimets*, H. Guðmundsson*, F. Martin

▩ 17.04 Estonia Concert Hall: Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, H. C. Aavik, H.-R. Leivategija, S. d’Amico | L. Hirsch*, R. E. Maimets, E.-S. Tüür, L. Sumera

▩ 18.04 Musical Tartu City Tour with Alo Põldmäe (free admission, 30 bus vacancies, see the 0-ticket from pre-sale)

▩ 18.04 Heino Eller Tartu Music College, Tubin Hall: „Young Composer“ Competition Final Concert, free admission

▩ 18.04 University of Tartu Museum: Quiet Music Ensemble (Ireland) | L. Hõbepappel*, M.-M. Lill*, K. Power, A. Murray

▩ 18.04 Tartu Literature House: Stories in Word and Music | A. R. Varres, R. Jürjendal, K. Ehin, U. Vadi, V. Mikita

▩ 19.04 Tallinn City Tour with Jan Kaus

▩ 19.04 Heino Eller Tartu Music College, Tubin Hall: String Quartet M4GNET | A.-M. Noorhani*, T. Kozlova-Johannes*, G. Kulla*, M. M. Gildemann*

▩ 19.04 Arvo Pärt Centre: Quiet Music Ensemble (Ireland) | L. Hõbepappel*, M.-M. Lill*, K. Power, A. Murray

The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the program.

More information:

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