‘Song of the Tower Bells’ concert and unique video performance

To celebrate the end of a very successful year for the European Capital of Culture we are inviting the residents of Tallinn and visitors to Freedom Square at 20:11 on the dot on 22 December for the premiere of Margo Kõlar’s specially composed work ‘Song of the Tower Bells’ and the video projection inspired by it on the façade of St. John’s Church.

For around 20 minutes, ten churches around the city – Aleksander Nevski Cathedral, the Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Worker, the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the Church of St. Peter & St. Paul, the Episcopal Cathedral, St. Olaf’s Church, the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Ukrainian-Greek Catholic Church, the Church of St. Charles and St. John’s Church – will be filling the Old Town with a unique sound: the harmonious concert of the bells of the city’s church towers, which have gone unheard for years. They will once again ring out and be heard by all of the old Hanseatic city’s residents with the help of modern technology.
Almost 50 bells will be rung simultaneously by 30 musicians, including percussion players from the city’s orchestras and ensembles, percussion students from music schools in the city and the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and the bell-ringers from the churches themselves. The story was inspired by the historical heritage of the church bells and the annual cycle of holy days.
The audio-visual experience will be made complete by a video projection by artist Taavi Varm using the architecture of St. John’s church as a unique canvas. As such, Freedom Square will be the meeting place for ancient and modern Tallinn and both remote and contemporary culture.
‘Song of the Tower Bells’ will ring out across the Old Town. If you happen to be strolling through it at 20:11, stop for a moment to enjoy the unique play of the bells. The best places to appreciate the event, apart from Freedom Square, will be Tower Square, the Patkuli viewing platform, Town Hall Square and Lai, Harju and Vene Streets.

press:
www.delfi.ee, www.tallinnapostimees.ee and www.delfi.ee, postimees