ESTMaestro
ERSO’s 99th season opens with a new work by Tõnu Kõrvits, bringing to a close a concert season dedicated to the theme of the bell. The evening features Romanian pianist Alexandra Dariescu performing Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto—a remarkable piece that showcases the compositional talent, refined musical taste, and expressive pianism of the 19th century’s most celebrated female pianist. The concerto blends the virtuosic flair of its era with a poetic sensitivity that resonates with modern audiences. The concert concludes with Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, conducted by Chief Conductor Olari Elts. Mezzo-soprano Sandra Laagus will be the soloist for both the symphony’s final movement.
In November, conductor Neeme Järvi welcomes renowned cellist Truls Mørk to perform Camille Saint-Saëns’s Cello Concerto No. 1—the composer’s breakthrough masterpiece and a cornerstone of the Romantic-era repertoire. Also featured is Richard Strauss’s rarely performed vocal symphony The Hours of Daylight, returning to ERSO’s stage after a 25-year absence. The program is rounded out by Strauss’s witty and energetic tone poem Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, a colorful musical tale of the mischievous peasant-trumpeter who brought joy to his townsfolk at every turn.
In February, under the baton of Olari Elts, ERSO celebrates the 120th anniversary of Dmitri Shostakovich’s birth. For the first time, the orchestra will perform the composer’s Suite for Variety Orchestra No. 1. The concert also features pianist Marie-Ange Nguci as the soloist in Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1. A virtuoso with a distinctive musical voice, Nguci has already graced some of the world’s most prestigious concert halls despite her young age. The second half of the evening presents Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6, a striking emotional departure from the dramatic intensity of his Fifth Symphony. This work offers a more introspective and lyrical experience, revealing a different side of the composer’s genius.
In May, ERSO welcomes conductor Dennis Russell Davies and pianist Maki Namekawa to the stage. With a distinguished career spanning over five decades, Davies has led some of the world’s most acclaimed orchestras, festivals, and opera houses. A long-time interpreter of Arvo Pärt’s music, Davies will conduct the composer’s Symphony No. 4 Los Angeles. Maki Namekawa, known for her dedication to contemporary music, will perform Philip Glass’s Mishima Piano Concerto, inspired by the score for Paul Schrader’s film Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters.