Contemporary Estonian music beats at the heart of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir’s repertoire. Arvo Pärt is its figurehead and inspirational soul. With him, Tönu Kaljuste’s ensemble questions the accuracy of its a cappella, the center of gravity of its voices, the dynamics of the choral fresco and the sparkle of the soloists’ bouquet. This selection of vocal pieces composed between 1989 and 2007 bears witness to the Estonian composer’s interest in medieval polyphony from the 1980s onwards, and his sensitivity to Christian spirituality. A benevolent call to introspection, meditation and contemplation.
ECM Exploration: Avishai Cohen Quartet in Paris
The Philharmonie de Paris celebrates ECM, the legendary record label founded by Manfred Eicher that explores diverse musical horizons, with elegance as its only compass. In gravitation since the late 1990s, trumpeter Avishai Cohen – not to be confused with his compatriot double bassist of the same name – practices a fervent music striving for purity. Formed with Yonathan Avishai (piano), Barak Mori (double bass) and Ziv Ravitz (drums), his acoustic jazz quartet presents Ashes to Gold, a superb album of evolving chiaroscuro released by ECM in 2024.
ECM Exploration: Anouar Brahem in Paris
Inspirational oud master Anouar Brahem is joined by three esteemed colleagues to present music from his new album, “After the Last Sky”, in this concert filmed live at the Philharmonie de Paris. Eight years after his previous project, “After the Last Sky” marks the first time that Brahem features a cello in his group music, with Anja Lechner – a cellist as well versed in classical music as in improvisation and in Brahem’s unique sound world – taking a leading role alongside pianist Django Bates and bassist Dave Holland.
Elina Garanca: My Favourite Melodies
In this upcoming episode of the series “My Favourite Melodies,” viewers are treated to an intimate portrait of renowned opera star Elina Garanca. From classic opera arias to lesser-known gems, Garanca’s selections offer a glimpse into her artistic influences and passions. The program combines stunning performances with insightful interviews, providing a captivating experience for both seasoned opera aficionados and newcomers to the genre.
Hayato Sumino – Live from Suntory Hall, Tokyo
He is probably the most exciting representative of the current pianist scene: Hayato Sumino inspires with his phenomenal virtuosity and infectious joy of playing, his concert tours are sold out worldwide. In his unique style, Sumino combines classical technique with great talent for arrangement and improvisation, bringing a fresh and innovative approach to piano music. The 30-year-old Japanese musician is not only causing a stir with classical works. Under the name “Cateen”, he is also a YouTube star with 1.5 million subscribers with his own compositions and arrangements, and is inspiring a steadily growing online fan base for his art. Of his numerous competition successes and awards, the most recent is the Leonard Bernstein Award 2025 from the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival. This program is a recording of Hayato Sumino’s concert at Suntory Hall in Tokyo. With music ranging from J.S. Bach to Hans Zimmer and from Chopin to his own compositions, the exceptional artist once again demonstrates his impressive versatility and virtuosity.
Sheku Kanneh-Mason: My Favourite Melodies
Acclaimed cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason invites audiences into an intimate musical journey where he both performs and reflects on the melodies that have shaped his artistic voice and life story. The documentary episode, part of the succesfull series “My Favourite Melodies” blends live performance and videoclips, thoughtful conversation, and behind-the-scenes insights into the creative process.