Ukrainian Composer Karmella Tsepkolenko’s New Piece Will Premiere At The Baltic & Estonian Music Days

Trio Tempus Balticus will perform several new works on May 5 at 5 p.m. in the University of Tartu Museum, including “Where The Sky Disappears” by the Ukrainian composer Karmella Tsepkolenko. The piece was made with the support of Sorainen, Eften Capital, Hansa Group’s Young Music Foundation and the Joint Fund for Composition of the Musicians’ Union.

Karmella Tsepkolenko is a known Ukrainian composer and an important leading figure in the music field. Her activities have been recognized with the highest national award (Taras Shevchenko Award, 2024), Meritorious Artist of Ukraine (2006) and a laureate of the Lyatoshynsky Award (2001). Tsepkolenko is a professor at the Odessa National Academy of Music, secretary of the board of the Ukrainian Composers Union, founder and artistic director of the international contemporary art festival “Two Days and Two Nights” and the organizer of several major international projects. Karmella Tsepkolenko’s voluminous oeuvre includes over 100 works: 7 symphonies for large symphony orchestra, 5 symphonies for chamber orchestra, chamber operas, numerous vocal and chamber works.

Chairman of the Estonian Composers’ Union Märt-Matis Lill: “The Estonian Composers’ Union is happy that the first composition order from the joint composition fund of Sorainen, Eften Capital, Hansa Group’s Young Musicians Fund went to a Ukrainian composer confirming the friendship between Estonia and Ukraine and to support Ukrainian colleagues at this existentially difficult moment. It is also significant that the work will be premiered this year in Tartu, which holds the title of European Capital of Culture 2024. Next season, the plan is to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Estonian Composers’ Union and, with the support of the same foundation, order a news piece from Estonian composer Liina Sumera as well as publish a book about the history of the Estonian Composers’ Union and Estonian composers in general.”

The Tempus Balticus concert program on May 5 will include pieces by Erkki-Sven Tüür, Bronius Kutavičius, Platon Buravicky, Pēteris Plakidis and Pärt Uusberg, and new pieces “Consensus” by René Eespere and “Trivertimento”  by Kristjan Kõrver. The musicians performing with the Tempus Balticus trio at the festival are Māra Botmane (cello), Johan Randvere (piano) and Robert Traksmann (violin).

The Baltic and Estonian Music Days will take place from April 26 to May 5. This year, for the first time, the big event will take place entirely in the European Capital of Culture, Tartu. The festival theme is Umwelt, and the artistic directors are Märt-Matis Lill, Helena Tulve and Timo Steiner. The event is part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main program.

Tickets from Piletilevi and the festival passes are available at Fienta.