Mustonen returns

The annual Mustonenfest festival is back for another round of the country, offering its usual eclectic range of sounds and styles, from February 14-28. The event was established here by Estonian conductor and violinist Andres Mustonen in 2014, based on a larger festival he began in his home country in 1989. Mustonen is known for his renditions of early music, including with the Horticus Musicus ensemble he created over 40 years ago, and the more recently established Art Jazz Quartet. The latter is in the lineup this month, and will join forces with Tel Aviv Soloists Ensemble at the Einav Center in Tel Aviv on February 17 (8:30 p.m.) to present jazzy versions of various works by Bach. All told, Mustonenfest takes in 20 concerts Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Ashdod and other venues around the country, featuring leading soloists, choirs and ensembles from Estonia and Israel, who will perform classical, folk and jazz material. Estonia has a rich legacy of choral music and there are plenty of vocal works in the program, including outdoor spots with the Ellerhein Girls' Choir marking the 100th anniversary of Estonia's independence. Other highlights include a tribute to Veljo Tormis, one of the world's leading choral composers, who died last year at the age of 86. The Ashdod Cultural Center (February 26, 8:30 p.m.) and Israel Conservatory of Music in Tel Aviv (February 27, 8 p.m.) will host a choral tour de force, with the world premiere of Sod HaKavana for six choirs and five percussionists, by 62-year-old Jerusalem-born composer Eitan Steinberg. The lineup includes the Ellerhein Girls' Choir alongside the Bat Kol youth choir, Tel Aviv Municipality's Maayan choir, Yoav choir and the Jerusalem Oratorio chamber choir, and the Tremolo five piece percussion group. There will also be four renditions of Bach's Johannes-Passion, in Haifa, Tel Aviv, Kfar Shmaryahu and Abu Gosh. The instrumental and vocal cast includes the Barrocade Ensemble, the Voces Musicales Choir from Estonia, Estonian tenor singer Anto Onnis and bass vocalist Alvar Tiisler, Israeli soprano Yeela Avital and compatriot alto Alon Harari, conducted by Mustonen. For tickets and more information: www.tallinntlv.co.il.

Mustonen returns

All told, Mustonenfest takes in 20 concerts Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Ashdod and other venues around the country, featuring leading soloists, choirs and ensembles from Estonia and Israel.

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