Estonian groups to replace Prague Radio Symphony on WFU Secrest Series event calendar

Editor’s note: This event replaces the Prague Radio Symphony concert, previously scheduled for Jan. 31, on the Secrest Artist Series calendar. Please replace information about that show with the following Feb. 11 concert on your arts calendar.

The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra will perform Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Wake Forest University’s Wait Chapel. The event is part of the university’s 2001-2002 Secrest Artist Series, and replaces the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra event. That concert, previously scheduled for Jan. 31, was cancelled by the Prague Radio Symphony’s management.

“The American tour was sponsored by Czech Airlines, which as a result of Sept. 11, was forced to cancel their sponsorship,” said Lillian Shelton, director of the Secrest Series. “We regret this cancellation but are pleased to present such an interesting and unique program in its place.”

Tickets purchased for the Prague Radio Symphony will be honored at this event.

The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, also from Estonia, will perform major works by contemporary classical composers Arvo Part and James MacMillan. “Seven Last Words From the Cross” is MacMillan’s latest work. “Orient and Occident” and “Te Deum” by Part also will be performed.

The groups have performed throughout the world, with tours to the United States, across Europe and to Japan receiving critical acclaim.

“The singers were focused and devoted, pure and impassioned, astounding choral artists who made musical precision the core ritual of what could almost have been a religious rite,” The Wall Street Journal said about the Estonian Philharmonic’s 1997 U.S. tour.

The Estonian ensembles will be conducted by Tonu Jaljuste. He is a leading contemporary conductor, known for regularly leading the Netherlands Chamber Choir, the Swedish Radio Choir and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, which he founded. His recordings with the Estonian Philharmonic and other choirs have won the Cannes Classical Award for Best Choral Music, the Edison Prize and a Grammy nomination for Best Choral Performance in 1995.

Tickets are $18 for general admission, and $13 for non-Wake Forest students and senior citizens. They can be purchased beginning Jan. 28 at the University Theatre Box Office, from noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The box office phone number is 336-758-5295.

For more information, call the Secrest Series office at 336-758-5757.

Categories: Arts & Culture, Events