Viljandi is an historic town in southern Estonia, founded in 1283, situated on the north-western shore of Lake Viljandi and surrounded by forest. The town is notable for its ruined castle and collection of historic town buildings, along with green spaces, cultural attractions and culinary delights. We had a pleasant few days there in 2024 on our way to Tartu for a performance of my music.
Amongst the town’s cultural attractions is the Viljandi Early Music Festival, the oldest festival in Estonia. The 41st edition of the festival runs from 15 to 17 July 2026, this year under the joint directorship of Andres Mustonen (who founded the Estonian early music group Hortus Musicus in 1972) and Heili Vaus-Tamm (whom I first met in 2016 when she was part of the team presenting the Brigitta Festival in the ruins of the Pirita Convent in Tallinn, see my review)
The festival opens with Andres Mustonen conducting the Hortus Musicus Baroque Orchestra and Moran Singers Ensemble in Zelenka’s Missa Votiva (Thanksgiving Mass). Zelenka wrote this festive mass for Dresden in 1739 where Zelenka had worked at the Saxon court since 1719.
A new festival tradition is a focus on a particular country, this year India with an evening of Indian ragas and artists from India including Mukesh Sharma (sarod) and Moumala Nayak (Kathak dance) being joined from Estonia are tabla player Arno Kalbus and festival director Andres Mustonen.
Andres Mustonen directs Hortus Musicus Baroque Orchestra a programme focusing on the seasons pairing Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, in a version for cello and orchestra by Marcel Johannes Kits (who plays the solo), with The Seasons, a 12-part cycle by the Ukrainian composer, Leonid Desyatnikov. In 2006 a ballet based on Desyatnikov’s The Seasons was premiered in New York by the New York City Ballet. There is a visual element to the concert too as audiovisual artist Iiris-Minda Paemurru will be creating a projection design inspired by the paintings of the artist Navitrolla.
Alongside these concerts are a lively programme of workshops including Indian raga and Kathak dance, craft events, a tour of Viljandi with live music, stage and theatrical workshops as well as archery and shooting!
Full details from the festival website.
