Almost 100 singers gathered in Riga Hall to sing together and learn from each other. The evening began, as any choir rehearsal, with a singer warm-up led by Toronto Koris’ conductor Jānis Beloglāzovs.
Next, the choirs introduced themselves through a mini concert by each group. Estonia Koor was up first. Conductor Ingrid Silm introduced the choir, sharing Estonia Koor’s impressive history of participation in the Estonian Song Festivals – having performed in all Song Festivals since 1990, a total of 7 times, with the upcoming 2025 Song Festival being our 8th appearance.
Estonia Koor performed three songs, all with ties to Song Festival repertoire. These were Laulik – Mart Saar, Muusika – Pärt Uusberg and Tuljak – Miina Härma. In her introduction, Ingrid shared some background information about each of these pieces and their composers, the most surprising of which was that Miina Härma’s Tuljak has been a staple in the Song Festival repertoire since 1980 and that each time it has been conducted by the same conductor Ants Üleoja!
Next it was Toronto Koris’ turn to perform. Conductor Jānis Beloglāzovs introduced the choir which was formed in September 2023. After the 2023 Song Festival in Latvia, many Toronto based Latvians wanted to continue singing together so this group was formed. They are currently preparing for the XVI Latvian Song Festival In Canada which is taking place July 3 – 7 in Toronto.
Having performed separately, it was now time to perform together. The two choirs merged into one and learned two songs – one in Estonian and one in Latvian.
In his introductions Jānis emphasized the many connections he and the songs the choir were presenting have with Estonia. Jānis, while born to an Estonia mother and Latvian father, jokingly stated that “he identifies as Latvian,” having grown up mostly immersed in the Latvian community.
The three songs Toronto Koris performed were Krauklīt's sēž ozolā – a Latvian folk song, arrangement by Jānis Cimze; Tumša nakte, zaļa zāle – a Latvian folk song, arrangement by Emils Melngaili and Bļodniekos vasarā – music by Erika Yost, lyrics by Natalie Fraser. The last piece was a new composition by Erika Yost and Natalie Fraser, who both sing with Toronto Koris. In fact, this performance was its world premiere! It was particularly striking in the way the Erika’s music echoed the text of the poem Natalie had written describing her experiences visiting her mother’s childhood home in Latvia over the years since the family was able to have it returned to them after Latvian independence.
Having performed separately, it was now time to perform together. The two choirs merged into one and learned two songs – one in Estonian and one in Latvian. At the request of the Latvians, Ingrid taught the well-known Song Festival piece by Peep Sarapik Ta lendab mesipuu poole with help from Jānis on the piano. Jānis then taught the group the well-known Latvian Song Festival anthem Pūt Vējiņi arranged by Jurjānu Andreja (which Estonians know as Puhu tuul).
Having concluded the concert portion of the rehearsal, it was now time to get to know each other better. Volunteers from both choirs, headed up by Ann Aaviku, provided drinks and snacks to get the party started.
And what do choristers do when the have a party, they sing! Song sheets were provided with both Latvian and Estonian words to well known songs that have the same melody. Led by Enno on the accordion and Andris on the guitar, the singing continued into the night.
Thank you to the Toronto Koris for hosting Estonia Koor at this wonderful event. New music was learned and new friendships were formed. We are all looking forward to doing it all again soon!
