New Year’s concert by Remy Martin and Eesti Kontsert a stellar introduction to the new year

02.01.2023

The traditional New Year’s concert by Rémy Martin and Eesti Kontsert kicked off the new musical year. Celebrated conductor Paavo Järvi directed the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and soloist performances for the festive concert which included opera bass Ain Anger, accordionist Ksenija Sidorova and violinist Triin Ruubel.

The splendid New Year’s concert started with the national anthems of Ukraine and Estonia, followed by music written by Wagner, Mascagni, Verdi, Bizet, Strauss, Gershwin, Schmidt, Ravel and Estonian composer Artur Kapp. Beloved opera bass Ain Anger performed two arias – Wolfram’s “O du, mein holder Abendstern” / “Song to the Evening Star” (act 3) from Wagner’s opera “Tannhäuser” WWV 70 (1845) and Morosus’ aria “Wie schön ist doch die Musik” / “How beautiful is the music” (act 3) from the „Die schweigsame Frau“ / “The Silent Woman” Op. 80 (1935) by Strauss.

As encores, the orchestra also performed Shostakovich’s “Tahiti Trot” Op. 16 (“Tea for Two” – orchestration from Vincent Youmans’ musical “No, No, Nanette”), Gershwin’s “Promenade” (“Walking the dog”) from the movie “Shall We Dance” (1937), and “Pizzicato polka” Op. 234 by Johann Strauss II and Josef Strauss. Accordionist Ksenija Sidorova (Latvia) also dazzled the audience with an encore piece by performing an energetic interpretation of Schnittke’s “Polka”.

“It is a pleasure and a privilege to be able to bring to one stage some of the greatest stars of the world of music with our New Year’s concert, and we are very proud to know that Paavo Järvi has given his jubilee concerts to Estonian audiences,” said Kertu Orro, CEO of Eesti Kontsert. “We also continue to appreciate the fact that, thanks to Estonian Public Broadcasting, the first music event of the new year can be equally enjoyed by audiences in the Estonia concert hall and by the people at home.”

“The New Year’s concert has become a wonderful and anticipated traditional event to mark the beginning of the new year with dignity. This year, the concert once again stands out for the talented and world-renowned musicians featured – we can truly be proud of them! It gives Liviko great joy to support extraordinary music and cultural events,” says Enn Kunila, chairman of Liviko’s supervisory board.

The new year’s concert was made possible by the co-operation of Eesti Kontsert, Liviko and Estonian Public Broadcasting. The television broadcast was presented by Joonas Hellermaa, the radio transmission by radio presenters Anne Aavik and Neeme Raud. The concert is available at jupiter.err.ee.