A musical rite under
the sign of the sacred

Estonia’s leading chamber choir brings the music of Arvo Pärt to Montreal audiences

December 11, 2025

Traquen’Art presents, in a Quebec premiere, the prestigious Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC), under the direction of Tõnu Kaljuste, in a program devoted entirely to the music of composer Arvo Pärt. The concert will take place on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 7:30 pm., at the Maison symphonique in Place des Arts. A major highlight of the choral season, this evening brings to Montréal one of the world’s most acclaimed ensembles for sacred and contemporary vocal music.

Founded in 1981, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir has distinguished itself for over forty years on international stages through the purity of its sound, the suppleness of its phrasing, and the depth of its interpretations. Under the guidance of its artistic director and principal conductor, Tõnu Kaljuste, the choir has played a decisive role in bringing Estonian music to the forefront, particularly the work of Arvo Pärt.

A major highlight of the choral season, this evening brings to Montréal one of the world’s most acclaimed ensembles for sacred and contemporary vocal music.

The Montréal concert is part of a North American tour marking the 90th birthday of the composer, a towering figure on today’s musical landscape. His music, at once distilled and intensely expressive, draws on ancient chant, Orthodox mysticism, and minimalism to create a sound world that is instantly recognizable.

Carried by the choir’s transparency and precision, these works take on an exceptionally immersive dimension in the acoustics of the Maison symphonique, which lend themselves beautifully to the play of resonances and inhabited silences that define Pärt’s style.

Presented by Traquen’Art, this Quebec premiere offers Montréal audiences a rare opportunity to hear this benchmark ensemble in a program entirely dedicated to one of the greatest living composers. The evening will appeal both to seasoned lovers of choral and sacred music and to curious listeners eager to discover a contemporary repertoire that is accessible, meditative, and profoundly moving. For many admirers of Pärt, it will be one of the must‑attend events of the 2025–2026 season.

About Tõnu Kaljuste

A leading figure on both the Estonian and international musical scenes, Tõnu Kaljuste founded, in the early 1980s, the ensemble that would become one of the world’s foremost references in sacred and contemporary vocal repertoire.

Known for the precision of his conducting, the architectural clarity of his interpretations, and his exacting approach to sound, he has, over the decades, forged a choral signature that is instantly recognizable, combining transparency, suppleness, and expressive intensity. His work with top‑level musicians has earned him sustained recognition within the profession, numerous recording awards, and regular appearances on primary stages across Europe and North America.

A sought‑after interpreter of Arvo Pärt’s music, Tõnu Kaljuste approaches this repertoire with an almost monastic rigour, without ever sacrificing human warmth or dramatic impulse. His economical gesture highlights collective listening, shared breathing, and the spatial unfolding of harmonies rather than any outward showmanship. In performance, this approach yields readings of great clarity, in which audiences feel they are entering the very heart of the score and hearing the music “from within,” as close as possible to the composer’s intention.

The Estonian Philharmonic
Chamber Choir

Performers: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Conductor: Tõnu Kaljuste, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor
Presented by: Traquen’Art
Date and time: Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 7:30 pm.
Venue: Maison symphonique, Place des Arts (Montréal)

Tickets available through the Place des Arts box office

Images: Kaupo Kikkas – Courtesy of Traquen’Art

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