Estonia mourns composer, 99

Estonia mourns composer, 99

RIP

norman lebrecht

May 14, 2021

The revered Ester Mägi died today (May 14), four months after her 99th birthday.

A graduate of the Moscow Conservatory under Vissarion Shebalin, her works include a concertos for piano (1953) and violin (1958), a symphony (1968) and much chamber orchestra and vocal music.

Comments

  • John Borstlap says:

    The music in the video is beautiful and fresh and pure, as if someone discovers the possibilities of music for the first time, without having heard the bulk of repertoire. It sounds as the voice of Nature. It is highly original….. thank you for posting this.

    Here is her piano concerto from 1953:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbnbDFAh-uk

    Is more Soviettish. As is her 1st symphony:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rxcod-m7Kf0

    But a short tone poem is different again:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tZQ9sPKD0s

  • Julia says:

    Mr. Lebrecht, if Maestro Gergiev and Russian President, Mr. Putin see things the same, does it bother you? Why?
    Or, you’d prefer Gergiev better take your opinion and think what you think? Why?
    And because Maestro Gergiev and President of Russia are two Russians, that love and serve their Country, you caustically name the Maestro Gergiev as the political tool for his President!
    In which way?
    The way you! see him!
    To me- it’s your problem!
    And, pfff… you smell of envy and evil.
    But, you know! Good triumphs over evil anyway.

  • MOST READ TODAY: