XXII Tallinn Chamber Music Festival “Bridges of Folklore” 2026
"Music has a unique and magical power — it connects people from every corner of the world, wordlessly, from heart to heart. On my journey I have encountered countless extraordinary artists, and my greatest dream is to bring those encounters to the festival — to share with audiences that spark
which ignites when different cultures, traditions and histories weave together into one music."
Anna-Liisa Bezrodny, Artistic Director
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The theme of the Festival takes us into the world of folklore — together we explore how folk traditions from different countries have shaped classical music throughout the centuries.
The festival programme features works inspired by the folk traditions of Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Latin America and Armenia.
From Brahms to Ravel, from Pärt to Gershwin, and from Hildegard von Bingen to Uno Naissoo — each festival evening opens a new cultural world.
The main theme is divided into concerts with individual subtitles: "Opening Concert – Jürjendal 60", "Alla Tzingarese", "Leevi Madetoja – Melodia Intima", "O Ecclesia",
"Stars and Stripes", "Tanguissimo", "Percussion Jugglers", "Closing Concert – Metamorphosis".
The composer in residence is an Estonian pianist and composer Robert Jürjendal, who celebrates his 60th birthday this year.
A special highlight is the album launch concert for Leevi Madetoja's chamber music –
a recording that brings together the composer's entire chamber music legacy in a single collection (ALBA Records).
Outstanding artists from around the world have been invited to the festival: violinists Nicolas Dautricourt (France), Lasse Joamets (Estonia) and Anna-Liisa Bezrodny (Estonia), violist Sandra Klimaite (Lithuania), pianists Mackenzie Melemed (USA) and Mika Rännäli (Finland), cellists Theodor Sink (Estonia) and Silvia Ilves (Estonia),
double bassist Regina Udod (Estonia), Estonian Percussion Group, and many more.
Traditionally, the annual PLMF “Young Musician” Award is presented at the festival. The award is dedicated to the memory of composers Marje and Kuldar Sink.
The award is supported by the Kelam family.
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The “Young Musician 2025” award was given out to soprano Annabel Soode!
At the final concert of the XXI Tallinn Chamber Music Festival on the 30th of August at 7PM at the Tallinn Town Hall,
the PLMF “Young Musician 2025” Award was given out to soprano Annabel Soode!
The award is dedicated to the memory of Marje and Kuldar Sink and is supported by the Kelam family.
„The Tallinn Chamber Music Festival was born from a dream to organize a grand parade of classical music’s finest, offering the audience, within a short period, an overview of the very best among both our own and international soloists.” – Pille Lill
Artistic Directors of the Tallinn Chamber Music Festival:
2005–2019 Pille Lill
2020–2022 Maano Männi
2023–… Anna-Liisa Bezrodny
The festival thanks all supporters!
Annual supporters of the festival:
Supporters of the festival 2025:
MARI-ANN AND TUNNE KELAM
MARI-TAMPERE BEZRODNY
JAAN KOLBERG
SVEN JÜRGENSON
Additional supporters in 2020–2024:
Family KALDOJA
PEETER PAEMURRU
Family POLOV
Family KUNILA