Tõnu Kõrvits Composer of Light

One Symphony with Devin Patrick Hughes

Devin Patrick Hughes interviews Tõnu Kõrvits, an Estonian composer who’s music has been performed the world over.

His works belong to the repertoire of the most important Estonian orchestras, choirs, and artists, and have been performed globally by groups such as the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Swedish Radio Choir, The Sixteen Choir, Southern Chorale, and many more.

As a talented and prolific creator, he has garnered numerous recognitions from Estonian state and cultural institutions.

Tõnu’s recording "Moorland Elegies" was given the Estonian Music Award in the category of The Best Classical Album of the Year in 2017.

In 2015, Tõnu Kõrvits became an honorary citizen of Clarksdale, Mississippi for his music which he created as a tribute to Clarksdale, the Delta, and to the preservation of the Blues. He is composition professor at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.

Thank you for joining us on One Symphony and thanks to Tõnu Kõrvits for sharing his music and insights. Thank you to all the incredible performers and record labels that made this episode possible! Hymns to the Nordic Lights, Silent Songs, Tears-Fantasy, and Elegies of Thule were performed by the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Risto Joost on the Ondine Label.

Tasase Maa Laul was performed by Kadri Voorand, Tönu Kaljuste, and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra on ECM Records and Deutsche Grammophon. Moorland Elegies was performed by Marianne Pärna, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra conducted by Risto Joost.

You can check out the music Tõnu Kõrvits wherever you listen to your music, and online at https://www.emic.ee/tonu-korvits. You can always find more info at OneSymphony.org and at DevinPatrickHughes.com including a virtual tip jar if you’d like to support the show. Thank you to John and Christina, and Jacob and Owen for making this show possible! Please feel free to rate, review, or share the show! Until next time, thank you for being part of the music!