{"id":87434,"date":"2025-01-31T17:41:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T17:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/2025.laulupidu.ee\/?p=87434"},"modified":"2025-01-31T17:41:01","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T17:41:01","slug":"the-song-festival-year-has-officially-begun-with-january-and-the-first-rehearsals-are-underway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2025.laulupidu.ee\/en\/news\/the-song-festival-year-has-officially-begun-with-january-and-the-first-rehearsals-are-underway\/","title":{"rendered":"The Song Festival Year Has Officially Begun with January, and the First Rehearsals Are Underway"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
The first pre-rehearsals for the Folk Music Festival took place on January 25 in Tallinn and January 26 in Tartu. To understand how folk musicians\u2019 journey has progressed so far, we asked them directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the artistic director of the Folk Music Festival, Helin Pihlap, there was great excitement leading up to the rehearsals\u2014especially for those instrument groups participating for the first time. For the first time in the festival’s history, mandolins, diatonic accordions (karmo\u0161kas), and Hiiu kanteles (a type of bowed lyre) have their own dedicated groups. \u201cAnother special aspect is that each group\u2019s program includes a soloist piece, and I\u2019m very pleased that all the soloists participated in the rehearsals and greatly valued the opportunity to meet and play together,\u201d Pihlap added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preparation for the pre-rehearsals has mostly been independent for both solo players and ensembles. However, workshops have been organized for both instructors and musicians. Learning materials\u2014including sheet music, recordings, videos, and guides\u2014have also been provided. Pihlap has been invited to visit folk music groups in J\u00e4rva County, as well as in eastern and western Virumaa, and other section leaders have also visited various groups. She also highlighted that the Hiiu kantele group, which consists of many solo players, has held regular meetings, and bagpipers have organized joint training sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPhoto: Helin Pihlap<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Hiiu Kantele Ensemble \u2013 A Unique Experience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hiiu kantele player Lydia Kalda, who is preparing to perform as a soloist at the festival, fondly recalled the ensemble\u2019s rehearsals. Kalda works at the Coastal Swedes Museum in Haapsalu, where two of the rehearsals have been hosted. \u201cSince our museum doesn\u2019t have a hall big enough for the entire orchestra, we had to move all the furniture out before rehearsals,\u201d she described. The Hiiu kantele ensemble had previously gathered in July 2024 at Haapsalu Episcopal Castle, where they were led by their section leader, Liisa Koemets. \u201cThis time, we had 40 Hiiu kantele players, so Liisa is already familiar with leading a large ensemble. She guided us wonderfully,\u201d Kalda praised Koemets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being part of the festival for the first time is a source of great pride for Kalda. \u201cIt\u2019s an amazing feeling, truly amazing,\u201d she said. \u201cI believe that the world\u2019s largest Hiiu kantele orchestra will definitely gain international attention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The same enthusiasm is shared by the Karmo\u0161ka\u00e4ssad<\/em> (Accordion Aces) ensemble from the MODUS Dance and Culture House: \u201cHaving a separate section allows diatonic accordion players to participate in the festival, even if they don\u2019t play other instruments at the required level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mandolins Join the Festival for the First Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The third newly introduced section is for mandolins. Hans Mihkel Vares, a musician who initially planned to participate in three different groups\u2014 the main orchestra, mandolins, and violins\u2014decided to drop the violin section but will still perform with the main orchestra and mandolin group. \u201cIt\u2019s great that mandolins have their own section, and I think this will bring more attention to the instrument and inspire new players. There may even be participants who picked up the mandolin for the first time just to join this section,\u201d he said. Notably, Vares has arranged a piece titled P\u00f5ltsamaa Waltz<\/em> for the mandolin group.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPhoto: Helin Pihlap<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A Collective Effort for a Common Goal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Richard Ott Leitham, a preparatory instructor at the Tallinn Accordion Club, summed up the preparation process well: \u201cPreparing for the Folk Music Festival is definitely different from our usual gatherings. Normally, each musician adapts a piece to their own style, but when playing together, there\u2019s less room for variation. However, this doesn\u2019t make the result dull\u2014quite the opposite.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He pointed out that, as with learning any new piece, there are moments when everything seems correct, yet something still feels off. But for him, this is not an obstacle, as accordion players form a tight-knit community. \u201cIt\u2019s all driven by passion. The amount of effort each person puts in is reflected in the final result. If someone struggles at first, we help them catch up and wait for them,\u201d Leitham explained. \u201cAfter all, we all share the same goal\u2014to learn the pieces and make it to the festival!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Author: of Estonian version: Karina Agnes Raudkats<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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