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 Tallinn Chamber Music Festival, "Bridges of Folklore," takes you on a journey through folk tradition – together we will discover how the folklore of different countries has shaped classical music through the centuries. From Brahms to Ravel, from Pärt to Gershwin, and from Glass to Piazzolla – each evening opens up a new cultural world!

The festival's main theme unfolds across eight varied and multifaceted concerts: "Opening Concert & Jürjendal 60," "Alla Zingarese," "Leevi Madetoja – Melodia Intima," "O Ecclesia," "Keys Across America," "Home, Sweet Home," "Percussion Jugglers," and "Closing Concert – Impressions and Expressions."

The festival is also a unique opportunity to discover Estonian music. A particular pearl in this year's program is the concert "Percussion Jugglers," featuring works by legendary Estonian composers Lepo Sumera and Arvo Pärt, among others.

The artists include outstanding musicians from around the world: 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 Tuomas Ylinen (Finland) and Silvia Ilves (Estonia); double bassist Regina Udod (Estonia); saxophonist Virgo Veldi (Estonia); trumpeter Neeme Ots (Estonia); the Estonian Percussion Group, and Estonian Sinfonietta.

The festival's composer-in-residence is an Estonian guitarist and composer Robert Jürjendal, whose music blends melodic, tradition-rooted chamber writing with avant-rock textures woven through electronics, alongside strains of ambient jazz. At the closing concert, Jürjendal's unique violin concerto – blending elements of rock and folk – will receive its world premiere, performed by Anna-Liisa Bezrodny and the Estonian Sinfonietta. The same concert will also feature a trumpet concerto on Estonian folk tunes, performed by renowned Estonian trumpeter Neeme Ots.

At the concert "Alla Zingarese," French star violinist Nicolas Dautricourt will perform, with a program including Schubert/Ernst's "Der Erlkönig," Ravel's Violin Sonata in G major, Gade's famous "Tango Jalousie," and Dautricourt's own compositions.

Another highlight will be the concert "Keys Across America," during which pianist Mackenzie Melemed journeys through two centuries of American piano music, introducing the works of the country's most influential composers.

A special event will be the festival's album-launch concert – the presentation of Leevi Madetoja's chamber music album, a recording that brings together the composer's entire chamber music legacy in one complete collection (ALBA Records).

As is tradition, the festival will present the annual PLMF "Young Musician" award, dedicated to the memory of composers Marje and Kuldar Sink. The award is supported by the Kelam family.

The festival is honoured to have been awarded the EFFE Label 2026–2027, the European quality label of the European Festivals Association (EFFE).