In Vanemuine Concert Hall on Wed 22nd of April at 19 – on stage Big Band Tartu, Chamber Choir JA-22 of Tartu Folk High School, Palamuse mixed Choir Six Apples, soloists Kreet Stubender, Rasmus Kull and Simo Breede, conductor Lauri Breede

On the program also Alo Mattiisen’s Patriotic Songs and few tunes to celebrate Silvi Vrait’s 75th birthday.

Alo Mattiisen was born on April 22, 1961 and passed away on May 30, 1995. The composer’s name became widely known during the so-called “singing revolution” in 1987–1988, when he achieved legendary fame through his protest and patriotic songs, but he has also created vocal grand forms and even the short opera “Dispute”.

The risotorio “Roheline muna | Green Egg” by Alo Mattiisen, the star composer of the Singing Revolution, is a classical oratorio in form, but in content it’s an absurd anecdote. Mattiisen and Volkonski’s risotorio tells the story of a millionaire who goes into the wide world to find a green egg and his happiness.

The exact meaning of risotorio is “funny oratorio”. There are two similar words in Latin: risus, which means laughter, and risorium, which means “to laugh”. An oratorio is a large-scale work for orchestra and choir. Alo Mattiisen’s “The Green Egg” meets the requirements of an oratorio, but Peeter Volkonski’s text is too grotesque for it.

Although the censors did not like the risotorio at all, but still it was declared the best composition at the 1985 festival Tartu Levimuusikapäevad. Written in 1984, the risotorio “The Green Egg” combines prog, rock and patriotic choral music. The lyrics are by Peeter Volkonski, and the original performers were Hardi Volmer, Silvi Vrait, the mixed choir Noorus, Alo Mattiisen and In Spe consisting of Jaanus Nõgisto, Terje Terasmaa, Peeter Brambat, Arvo Urb and Vello Annuk.

Now we will perform the arrangement of Tõnu Kõrvits for big band, which was completed in the late 1990s and which Big Band Tartu has been performed also earlier. This time we will have new soloists and choirs on stage.

Of course, Alo Mattiisen’s evergreen Patriotic Songs will not be missed. “No land is alone” was completed for the Tartu Popular Music Festival in 1987. In the spirit of this success, Alo wrote “Five Patriotic Songs” by 1988.

The same week as Alo, Silvi Vrait also has an important anniversary, April 28th marks the 75th anniversary of her birth. So she’s Eurovision 1994 Contest Song “Like a Sea Wave (Nagu merelaine)” is a must 🙂

Tickets: on the day of the concert 20€, under 16s free
PRE-SALE at Fienta 15€

Supported by the Estonian Cultural Endowment