Tõnu Kõrvits (born 9 April 1969) is an Estonian composer.
Kõrvits was born in Tallinn. In 1994 he graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre with specialty in composition.
Since 2001 he has taught composition and instrumentation at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.
Since 1994 he has been a member of the Estonian Composers' Union.
Awards 2001: Heino Eller Music Prize 2016: Order of the White Star, 3rd Class 2018: Lepo Sumera Award for Composition 2012 and 2016: Cultural Prize of the Republic of Estonia 2015: Estonian Public Broadcasting chose Tõnu Kõrvits as the Musician of the Year 2022: 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) Official Selection Competition: Best Original Score (for a film “Á ferð með mömmu / Driving Mum” by Hilmar Oddsson) 2024 Edda Awards: Best Original Score (for a film “Á ferð með mömmu / Driving Mum” by Hilmar Oddsson)
Albums 2013: “Kreek’s Notebook” (Hyperion Records). Music performed by Royal Holloway Choir, Britten Symphony Conducted by Rupert Gough 2016: “Mirror” (ECM Records). Music performed by Anja Lechner (cello), Kadri Voorand (vocal), Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra. Conducted by Tõnu Kaljuste. Produced by Manfred Eicher. 2017: “Moorland Elegies” on a poems by Emily Bronte (Ondine Records). Music performed by Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra. Conducted by Risto Joost 2020: “Hymns to the Nordic Lights” (Ondine Records). Music performed by Meelis Vind (bass clarinet), Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Risto Joost 2020: “Sei la luce e il mattino / You are Light And Morning” on a poems by Cesare Pavese (Ondine Records). Music performed by Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra. Conducted by Risto Joost 2023: “Tiibade Hääl / The Sound of Wings” on a poems by Doris Kareva (Ondine Records). Music performed by Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra. Conducted by Risto Joost
Works
2005: chamber opera "My Swans, My Thoughts" 2006: chamber opera "Firegarden" 2014: “Stabat Mater” for mixed choir 2014: "Canticle of the Sun" for mixed choir 2015: "Moorland Elegies" for choir and orchestra, based on works by Emily Bronte 2019: "You Are Light and Morning" for choir and orchestra, based on works by Cesare Pavese 2022: "The Sound of Wings" for choir and orchestra, inspired by Amelia Earhart
References