Programme:
R. Strauss. “Metamorphosen” TrV 290
Eller. “Five Pieces for String Orchestra”

The Estonian String Instrument Foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special concert presenting some of Estonia’s finest string players. These exceptional musicians will perform on rare and exquisite instruments.

This programme is all about iconic string repertoire. You’ll hear Richard Strauss’s “Metamorphosen”, a piece notorious for its twenty-three individual string parts which typically demands a top-tier ensemble of soloists. We’ve fittingly included Heino Eller’s “Five Pieces for String Orchestra”, a true gem from Estonian string music repertoire.

Both of these works were composed during the first half of the 20th century, a really turbulent time. There was a lot of unrest, significant changes were happening, and the world was really heading towards an inevitable total confrontation.

Strauss’s “Metamorphosen” is one of his final and most personal compositions. It expresses the pain of losing a world that was, alongside fear and worry about what was to come. The music feels like an elegy for a fading culture and a war-torn Europe. It’s full of heavy, profound emotions, refined harmonies, and a quest for timeless beauty and hope.

Heino Eller’s “Five Pieces for String Orchestra” on the other hand, highlights Northern European lyricism, impressionistic soundscapes, and a meditative, nature-inspired musical language.

In collaboration with the Estonian String Instrument Foundation