The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC) is one of the best-known Estonian music groups in the world. The EPCC was founded by Tõnu Kaljuste in 1981, who was the artistic director and chief conductor for twenty years. Afterwards, Paul Hillier and Daniel Reuss took over. Since 2014, Kaspars Putniņš works as the artistic director and chief conductor of the choir.
The EPCC repertoire from Gregorian chant and baroque to the music of the 21st century, with a special focus on the work of Estonian composers (Arvo Pärt, Veljo Tormis, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Galina Grigoryeva, Toivo Tulev, Tõnu Kõrvits, Helena Tulve) and introducing them to the world. Each season, the choir gives about 60–70 concerts in Estonia and abroad.
EPCC recordings have won two Grammy Awards for Best Choral Performance: in 2007 for the album “Arvo Pärt. Da Pacem” with conductor Paul Hillier (Harmonia Mundi) and “Arvo Pärt. Adam’s Lament” with conductor Tõnu Kaljuste (ECM). All in all, the choir has 14 Grammy nominations from works by Arvo Pärt, Erkki-Sven Tüür and the music of Nordic countries. EPCC recordings have also won the Diapason d’or award, the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik, a Danish Music Award etc. Tõnu Kõrvits’s auteur record “Moorland Elegies” was recorded by EPCC and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Risto Joost, and selected as the Best Classical Album at the Estonian Music Awards in 2018.
Soprano: Karolis Kaljuste, Hele-Mall Leego, Annika Lõhmus, Kristine Muldma, Miina Pärn, Triin Sakermaa, Ülle Tuisk
Alto: Anna Dõtõna, Maarja Helstein, Ave Hännikäinen, Marianne Pärna, Karin Salumäe, Cätly Talvik
Tenor: Madis Enson, Danila Frantou, Kaido Janke, Raul Mikson, Sander Sokk, Toomas Tohert, Joosep Trumm
Bass: Gert-Heiko Kütaru, Aarne Talvik, Henry Tiisma, Olari Viikholm, Rainer Vilu
Choirmaster Heli Jürgenson