During this weekend mixed choir “Maska” has won the Grand Prix of 15th international choir contest “Tallinn 2017” that took place in the prestigious venue of “Estonia” concert hall in Tallinn.
The international choir contest in Tallinn is being held since 1972 and this year 31 choirs and vocal groups from Estonia, Russia, Ukraine, Latvia, the Netherlands, Finland, Germany and Belarus participated in the competition.
Choir “Maska” participated in three categories, getting the highest score in mixed choir and contemporary music categories, as well as being second best in the folklore category. This performance allowed the choir to qualify to the final, where “Maska” was the best of the best and won the Grand Prix!
During the competition choir “Maska” performed in the opening concert in Tallinn’s Methodist church as well as in a night concert in “Hopneri Maja” concert hall in Tallinn’s old town. The final was broadcasted in Estonian national radio and supporters could also hear the performance via web.
Choirs were vetted by a serious international jury: Tone Bianca Dahl (Norway), Basilio Astulez Duque (Spain), Georg Grün (Germany), Heli Jürgenson (Estonia), Ko Matsushita (Japan).
“I am truly proud about what we have accomplished. For my beloved youngsters. For Latvia. It is almost unbelievable that with our songs we – the Maska-family again and again prove to the foreign auditory that our country’s glory of the choral singing has not disappeared. And it is especially nice to hear the whole audience chanting the word “Latvia” although you are abroad” says choir’s artistic director and conductor Jānis Ozols.
“Maska” performed pieces both by Latvian and foreign composers, including Arvo Pärt, Pärt Uusberg, Micheal Berkley, Perttu Haapanen and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdi as well as Pēteris Vasks, Laura Jēkabsone and Ēriks Ešenvalds.
Already this Saturday “Maska” will compete in live TV show hosted by national broadcaster Latvian Television – “Latvija dzied!” (“Latvia sings!”). This a selection event to name the choir that will be participating from Latvia in the first “Eurovision choir of the year 2017” event to be held in July. It will be broadcasted in LTV1 as well as in live-stream in the internet, so everyone has the possibility to tune-in and support “Maska”!