Arnold Schönberg Choir to perform at Arvo Pärt Centre

Text Ingel Kink
Photo Andrei Chertkov

On December 1, the Arnold Schönberg Choir from Vienna will perform at the Arvo Pärt Centre in Laulasmaa (around 45 minutes drive from Tallinn), to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Austrian composer Arnold Schönberg. This is their first-ever performance in Estonia.

Founded in 1972 by Erwin Ortner, the choir is known for its versatility, performing music from the Baroque era to contemporary works. Their performance will include compositions by Anton Bruckner, Johann Sebastian Bach, Arnold Schönberg, and Arvo Pärt, emphasizing themes of spirituality and intricate musical structure. The choir’s connection to Pärt is notable, as they premiered his choral work Kleine Litanei in 2015.

Prior to the concert, a discussion will explore the music and ideas of Schönberg and Bruckner. Esteemed musicologist Professor Kristel Pappel and cultural journalist Joonas Hellerma will offer insights into the composers’ shared spiritual dimensions and innovative approaches to composition.

In addition to the musical events, a temporary exhibition titled Arnold Schönberg: Life and Work will open on November 27 and run until December 8, at the Arvo Pärt centre. The exhibition, developed in collaboration with the Austrian Embassy, portrays Schönberg as a multifaceted artist—not just a composer but also a theorist, painter, poet, and inventor. Artifacts, photographs, and design works from his life will be displayed, with musical excerpts accessible via QR codes. The exhibition traces Schönberg’s journey from Vienna to exile in New York and Los Angeles, capturing his life as a family man, innovator, and artist.

To learn more about this and similar topics
Arnold Schönberg 150th Anniversary Arnold Schönberg Choir Arvo Pärt Centre Austrian Choirs Classical Music Estonia Classical Music Events Estonia Contemporary Choral Music Events in Estonia