GALLERY ⟩ According to the musical text of the Estonian cultural treasure “Joonas”

The Estonian Gallery presented a performance of Rudolf Tobias’s oratorio, “Jonah,” on October 14th, 2023, at the concert hall. The performance featured conductor Tõnu Kaljuste and included the Estonian Chamber Choir and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra. Soloists Mirjam Mesak, Kai Rüütel-Pajula, Mati Turi, Taavi Tampuu, Maria Listra, Kadri Tegelmann, Endrik Üksvärav, Tamar Nugis, and the Estonian National Opera boys choir participated.

The work was recorded alongside the performance. Rudolf Tobias, the first professional Estonian composer, is being celebrated this year as part of his 150th anniversary. The project’s co-sponsors include Selver and Exmet, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Tallinn Music Hall, Nordnet, the Estonian Cultural Endowment, Ascar Tartu, Valge Klaar, and Scoremusic.

Conductor Kaljuste noted that the Estonian version of “Jonah” fulfills the composer’s desire to share the work with the Estonian audience, citing Tobias’s Estonian libretto draft and correspondence. He emphasized the importance of the Estonian language in conveying the oratorio’s beauty and connection to the intended audience. The recording of the Estonian version follows a previous recording of the oratorio in German.

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