08.09.2024 Meniny má Miriama Zajtra oslavuje Martina

profile from the beginning from the end video in photos most recent photos

repertoire offer CD

members in the news other

NÖN woche 28/2007

Miltenberger Tagblatt, 17.7.2006

Tirnavia choir has published a new CD album

The mixed choir Tirnavia introduced their profile CD record named “The 20th Century Slovak Choral Music - The Collection” by the concert in Trnava Theatre of Jan Palarik on Saturday 30 October 2004. For the second time in the month of October after the final concert of Trnava Organ Days 2004 the choir has introduced itself to the fans of choir singing by its own concert programme. By this undertaking named “Evening with Tirnavia” the choir members under the conduct of their conductor Andrej Rapant would like to set a tradition of annual concert within the scope of rich musical autumn of the town Trnava.

The concert programme included compositions from the new album, which Tirnavia was recording in spring this year (2004). In the first block the choir introduced 2 compositions by exceptional composer Ivan Hrusovsky, the author whose modern compositions are full of strong sacral charisma.

TH Extra, Trnava
15. 11. 2004

The interpretation of his composition “Zalm 23” (Tune 23) on the Latin text “Lord is my pastor, I don’t miss anything” together with effective miniature “Rhythm” created a ceremonial and dignified programme opening. In the second block of their repertoire the choir offered the audience-popular adaptations of folk songs. The sensitive slow composition by Hrusovsky “Ked ja pojdem” was completed by emotionally rich composition “Verbunk” by Oto Ferenczy and the adaptation “Iseu Macek” by Hrusovsky. At the end of the block the choir performed the dynamic composition by Peter Con “Isol mili orac” where the folk-song tunes alternate with choir percussions.

The musical guest, Belgian choir CANTANDO under the conduct of Luca Anthonis, divided the concert by their performance into 2 halves. The primary aim of this choir is, alongside intonation clearness and expressive variety, to achieve homogeneous, vocally balanced sound of the choir. Their ambitions have been proved by very cultivated performance of the singers, which was inspiring for the choir Tirnavia as well.

After the performance of the musical guest there was time to bring the CD album into the listeners’ awareness. For this purpose valued guest have been invited. The Mayor of Trnava, Ing. Stefan Bosnak – a man who significantly supports cultural life in Trnava. Another guest was the musical composer Ilja Zeljenka, whose composition “Bagately” can be found on the new Tirnavia CD. The last but not the least guest was Branislav Kostka, the distinguished conductor who has together with Tirnavia prepared the project “Solemn Mass” by Louis Viern. This aggregation wished the recording a successful path to listeners and good luck with the choir’s next activities.

The concert has been closed by Finish folk composition “Sakkijarven polka” in adaptation by Pavol Prochazka and by composition “Battle of Jericho” by Moses Hogen. For the pleasant evening our thanks belong to the moderator Rastislav Zitny, invited guests, present audience and former choir members whose support is still sensed by Tirnavia. Let us believe that Tirnavia will still have a lot of opportunities in the future to offer its listeners attractions of vocal production and the above mentioned CD album will be successful in spreading this message.

(fp)

Hudobný život, 12/2004

Hudobný život, 11/2004

TH EXTRA, Trnava, 18.10.2004	Trnava Organ Days The final concert of the Festival Trnava Organ Days 2004 was devoted to multiple compositions created by the French composer Louis Vierne. A significant one is the composition Messe Solenelle for a choir and 2 organs, conducted by the Slovak conductor Branislav Kostka. The prestigious American organist David di Fiore played a dominant organ in this composition.
Louis Vierne once said that his only aim was to evoke listener’s emotions. Is this your aim as well? David di Fiore: First-rate. Messe Solenelle is a magnificent composition full of emotions and for me it is absolutely important to evoke these emotions in listeners. Branislav Kostka: It is alpha & omega of music. Not even one note, one tact should be sung and played without emotional interest, which subsequently influences the listener. It is often said that Vierne was looking for calmness or peace in his life. Does it inspire you? BK: I think that Vierne was trying to achieve peace by harmony – the composition itself ends with an emotionally strong part “dona nobis pacem” – give us peace – which expresses his desire for peace. DdF: The author’s life was full of suffering – he has lost his relatives, he has nearly lost his sight, his leg injury hasn’t allowed him to play organ and all of these was reflected in his production. His desire for peace is clear and strongly inspiring. To what extent are you trying for an authentical interpretation? DdF: With an organ in Trnava Church of St Nicholas it is possible to some extent to approach the sound of a French organ by a right selection of registers. However, for me the beauty of the sound is more important than its authenticity. BK: In trying to fulfil the author’s intention and at the same time to move the work of art closer to an actual listener I sense a certain conflict. I view the work with eyes of a contemporary person who perceives music differently than it was perceived in the last century. To deal with this dilemma I add my own emotional pointing to the note script – which is kind of an author’s construction. To what extent are you able to be satisfied with the interpretation of a masterpiece? BK: I can express it in 3 aspects. I am always glad when I as a conductor help a musical body to perform an optimal performance in harmony with a work of art. With this aspect the second one is connected – whether my partners are satisfied with interpretation. If an audience is satisfied as well, I know that we have created a unique communication and that the energy I feel has reached the listeners. To achieve this state a musician needs a lot of musical wisdom and knowledge and I want to head towards reaching this wisdom during my whole life. DdF: As an artist I am never satisfied; sometimes I am pleased with the results. There is always something to improve in your performance and that’s why I like being an artist. Improving your art is never ending, it lasts the entire life. How do you perceive classical music in society? Is it attractive enough for people? DdF: Classical music creates roots of our culture, an action line that cannot be interrupted. I dare say that it is an organ that has much more possibilities than other solo instruments; all the sounds that you can create with the organ are beautiful and varied. The role of interpreters of organ music is to offer listeners an attractive repertoire, which will inspire them. BK: In this area I miss a general support of classical music and a certain conceptual guidance in our culture. Music is, after all, a kind of a realization of reason of the historic human existence. Through classical music we can communicate with the era that is no longer here, we can understand better what was happening ‘before us’. Music has a valuable power to connect centuries. It thus maintains a chain, which will be joined by others. DdF: Specific production of L. Vierne is very interesting also because of its background. Virne was an organist in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris where he played for many years, composed and finally also died. During his last farewell recital in 1937 he collapsed directly behind the organ keyboard and only unison of random tunes could be heard in the Cathedral. His death was very symbolic as Vierne devoted his whole life to organ playing. Strong story. In spite of that, isn’t it a bit scary for you? DdF: Not at all. I often think about it saying to myself: how better could I greet death…?
TH Extra, Trnava, 2 August 2004
	Tirnavia experienced "Golden Pardubice" The concert hall of the Pardubice University is full of competing choir members. Everybody is eagerly expecting the results of different categories of the choir competition IFAS 2004. Somebody is reducing the tension by crumpling a handkerchief; another one is singing quietly, the next one is silent and looking shallowly in front of himself/herself. The colourful assortment of participants is created by singers from Philippines, Russia, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Tirnavia is amongst them representing the town Trnava. The performance is being remembered, the mistakes are being considered and everybody is thinking about what could have been sung better. Everybody wants to win. There is only 1 winner though.

The jury is being seated and everybody’s eyes are focused on the stage where the reporter Jiri Sevcik announces the results of folk category. Following an example of Vladimir Czech from the Millionaire show Jiri is able to make the results’ announcement unbelievably long. The audience can’t hide their excitement but the reporter knows that this torture will lead to even more emotional expression of joy of the awarded choirs. All participant choirs were competing in this category; they are announced gradually from the least successful one to the winner. The bronze and silver bands are awarded at last after never ending time, but the name Tirnavia was not heard yet. The time is literally hanging in the air, a desert in our mouths; hearts are beating like a bell of a nearby Pardubice castle. The cruel reporter finally gets to the golden band – the 3^rd price within this band is awarded to a choir from Presov (a town in Slovakia – translator’s note), the second prize is not awarded. The name Tirnavia was still not announced. The Tirnavia singers are nearly in a state of collapse – either their performance was not valued by the jury not even for the bronze band or after announcing all the choirs they must be logically the winners!!! Heaven or Hell. All or nothing. Just hang on a while!

“The first prize was awarded to the choir Tirnavia from Trnava, Slovakia!!!”

It’s here! We all started to jump and hug one another. The victory in the foreign competition – it has never been achieved before! We are holding our hands and shouting the name of the choir. The audience, other singers, as well as the jury itself are prising us with appreciation and acknowledgement; people from Zilina (a town in Slovakia – translator’s note) are singing the ‘hockey’ song “Slovenskooo, Slovenskooo!” (“Slovakia, Slovakia!”) Displays of joy from the achievement cannot be stopped. The headlights in the hall are switched off eventually, we are leaving happy and for a long time we congratulate ourselves to our huge achievement.

Life is suddenly so beautiful.

Pardubice competition IFAS 2004

It is an international festival of academic choirs. It takes place every even year and the competing choirs are university choirs or choirs with a major membership of young people and students. On this 18^th year of the festival there were 10 competing choirs from 4 countries. There were 5 competing categories – mixed choirs, chamber choirs, female choirs, folklore and honour for jubilant of Czech music. According to gained points the winners and the next 2 best choirs could then continue to the competition for Grand Prix of the festival. The jury has valued the choirs by ranging them to bands (golden, silver and bronze) according to their performance. In the golden band three more financial prizes could have been awarded. The jury considered singing technique, intonation, rhythm, expressive means, style and the choice of repertoire. From the maximum of 30 points the jury was deducting points up to a final mark.

Tirnavia took part in this competition for the first time and managed to leave a very good impression with its performances. In the category of mixed choirs A1 Tirnavia won the golden band and got the financial 2^nd prize. And even though the only rival was the choir from Poland, our aim to win the category and progress to the competition for Grand Prix was fulfilled and that was most important. The triumph was also the result in the folklore category B where Tirnavia got the first prize in the golden band. The victory in both categories is a great success for the choir and also an acknowledgement of several months of hard work.

The choir competition on the festival was very strong. Traditionally everybody showed respect to the quality Philippines choir Manila Chamber Singers who paralysed the audience on the opening concert by stirring version of the Beatles Let It Be. Strong, but ‘towering’ solo voices were, however, a disadvantage for the choir as a whole and the ‘paper’ favourite of the competition finished with the silver band. The polish choir AZM, later winner of the competition Grand Prix of the festival, presented a quality performance. In the balanced category of female choirs the choir Iuventus Paedagogica from Presov (a town in Slovakia – translator’s note) presented excellent performance. The fact that the jury awarded Tirnavia’s performance in both categories as the best in such a competition is more than complimentary.

Tirnavia was trying to offer an attractive and varied programme, modified by prescribed jury requirements. In the category of mixed choirs there were melodic composition “Don Quichotte et Sancho Panca” by Carl Hemmering, playful “Vybehla briza belicka” by Dvorak, a jewel of romanticism “Pater Noster” by G. Verdi, delicate composition “Summertime” by Gershwin and a composition full of inner sadness “Crucifixus” by A. Lotti. The aim of the rhythmical and emotionally different compositions’ selection was to show the choir universality while interpreting them.

In the category of modified folk songs we counted on dynamical compositions. The machine accurate composition “Verbunk” by Oto Ferenczy was followed by attractive composition “Isol mily” by Peter Con. The parts with rhythmical hand clapping and foot clattering always manage to drag the audience. To finish we introduced an “action” composition “Sakkijarven polka”, a Finish folk song modified by P. Prochazka. It is said that the more vodka the Finish drink, the faster they sing this song. Our performance was finished in a very fast rate, however vodka was definitely not responsible. Fortunately.

It’s over. We will surely have nice memories on the IFAS 2004 festival. The fact that we did not win the Grand Prix of the festival but were so close couldn’t change feelings of our joy and satisfaction. For our achievement in this competition it’s worth thanking all supporters of the choir: the Mayor of Trnava Ing. Stefan Bosnak, current and also former choir members who still keep in touch with the choir, the conductor Ing. Andrej Rapant, sponsors and many more fans of the choir singing. Let us believe that Tirnavia will continue to offer beautiful music to many more fans and “Golden Pardubice” will be followed by other and other and other successes…

Author: Filip Palkovic

Out of the notes of the festival jury director Prof. PaeDr. Jiri Kolar:

“The choir employs nice, compact sound and a very good singing technique, is able to use a rich dynamic range whether we are talking about creating phrases or compositions as a whole.”

TESCO Newsletter

February / March 2004

Tesco zpravodaj február/marec 2004 (379kb)

TH Extra, Trnava, 24 November 2003

The grand finish of a round jubilee

On Saturday, 22^nd November 2003, a gala concert in honour of the 15^th anniversary of the Mixed Choir Tirnavia foundation took place in the Theatre of Jan Palarik in Trnava. The programme was ushered by a well-known TV reporter Jana Hospodarova who helped the annual concert to be really outstanding. An excellent introductory choir performance accompanied by Verdi’s opera Patter Noster only exponentiated the feeling of the importance of the whole undertaking itself where also many important guests were present.Amongst invited guests there were the Mayor of Trnava Stefan Bosnak, who became the godfather of choir’s first album, text writer Jan Strasser, music composer Ilja Zeljenka, some of whose operas became part of choir’s repertoire, and as well the founder choir conductor Gabriel Kalapos. After the introductory opera compositions, during break the guests and audience could watch a painting gallery exhibition ‘AND Gallery’ in the theatre saloon.

The second part of the concert dedicated to folk music where folklore from the West as well as the East parts of our country took part was a nice variation of the programm. The audience could see a short document surveying the whole existence of the choir Tirnavia. After a while there was time for a ceremonial speech by the conductor Andrej Rapant himself who expressed with a witt but at the same time with great impressions his enjoyment of the whole undertaking.

The choir founder Gabriel Kalapos was awarded the title ‘honourable’ conductor by Trnava’s Mayor. The presence of the text writer Jan Strasser was not accidental. Tirnavia performed the song “Tri slová” (3 Words) which he composed and which appeared in a well-known Slovak film “Neberte nam princeznú” (Do not Take our Princess Away). As he said later on a stage he haven’t heard this song in this modification before. The song was very successful and formed the last part of the whole gala concert.

After the concert finished the guests went to a Theatre’s Mirror Room for a conjunct celebration, where the party continued until late night hours.

***
The choir has an own charisma.
The present Tirnavia choir conductor, Andrej Rapant, is already dedicated to music for 15 years. Since 1996 he was singing in this choir and in March this year (2003) he became its conductor. He has disclosed something about himself, about his beginnings, his biggest adventures and plans for future in a short interview.
- How do you feel about you being the one who took Tirnavia through its 15^th year of successful existence?

“The fact that it was me is just a coincidence. So I would not connect this with my person. I do what I like. Music is a part of my life, I like working with people and the work of a conductor is something, which allows me to link these 2 passions together. At the moment I am in charge and I will do my best to help this choir grow, to make its aims happen and to continue giving joy to those people who are in the audience.”

- In your curriculum vitae we can find that you studied at The Economics University in Bratislava. Does it happen that you use your economics education in your work with the choir?

“Yes, it does happen. Such a big choir needs its financial provision and I am using my education in Tirnavia. The choir acts as a normal legal entity or civil association and deals with money as such. Often there is no other chance than to develop a good marketing when we need to get some services. Of course, we must act as in the market when somebody wants us to perform a concert. Unfortunately everything is measured by money, so it affects us as well. These circumstances create a space for the use of my economic education in the work with Tirnavia. For the future, however, we would like to create a manager position who would take care of all these matters.”

- When and how did that important moment happen when you have decided to devote your life to music?

“I already started to be interested in music when I was a small child. It wasn’t purely my decision, because children can’t decide for themselves. The thanks belong to my parents for bringing me to music. Of course the more mature a person is the more they start to realize the opinions of the surrounding world and form their views on everything happening around them, and the same is happening in music. A person is usually supervised/ lead until certain age of life by other persons who already have some placement and experience. It can’t be characterized by age. And then after a certain moment he realizes that he can have his own opinion on certain things in music. When a person finds out that he or she already has this opinion, he or she starts to think about how to transfer this opinion to reality.”

- How long have you been a conductor?

“The question could sound how short (laugh). At the moment it is my ninth month.”

- On the stage during a performance you are the man number one. All eyes in the choir are set only on you. Besides the fact that you must go on well with other choir members, are you trying to remove nerves and stress of the singers from the performance?

“The singers are very sensitive people and they react on everything what appears in their eye perception. That means that a conductor is there to reassure the singers and give them a feeling of confidence. Mimic helps to achieve this in the first place, which means smile and eye contact in general. The singers must be mainly reassured so that they don’t feel uneasy on a stage, but relaxed and happy.”

- Where are you planning to travel with Tirnavia in the near future?

“The closest date is our Christmas concert which will be performed together with Trnava Chamber Orchestra, on 21^st December in the St. Jacob’s Church. As for plans for the next year, we would really like to record our own CD.

Our ambition is to take part in some competition in Slovakia, Czech Republic or Austria.

In the autumn we plan a concert in honour of the conductor Ivan Hrusovsky, then Christmas concert again and in year 2005 we would like to take part in one of the important European competitions.”

- You work with a mixed choir. Have you ever imagined a work with a pure men or women choir?

“There were proposals to include in our repertoire compositions which are only for men or women choirs. I personally believe that it’s more a question of when we come across some interesting score, which is written only for one of them. Then sure we will be glad to accept it.”

- What was your greatest experience with Tirnavia until now?

“The greatest and emotionally strongest one was entering the stage in Montreux in Switzerland.

We received the fourth place, but this is not as important as the fact that we proved ourselves that we can reach to the bottom of our reserves.We managed to say ourselves: okay, we go for it and will work hard for several weeks. And when we stand on the stage confidence and smile must shine from our faces, so that nobody knows how much work and effort is behind it all. When we entered that stage I had the feeling that this choir has its own charisma.”

Dominik Misa

TH Extra, Trnava, 24 November 2004

1.QUESTIONNAIRE

After a beautiful gala concert the guests and participants continued entertaining themselves on a banquet.

We asked some of them several questions.

1.How do you feel about choir singing?

2.Would you have courage to stand on a stage?

3.Do you usually sing at home whilst doing different ordinary activities?

4.What is your impression from tonight’s undertaking?

Stefan Bosnak, The Mayor of Trnava:

1.“I like it. Besides those beautiful performances there is usually also something nice to look at.”

2.“I don’t think so.”

3.“Sometimes, I do. Also at work, it’s a kind of relax for me. Even one sentence from a song is enough. When a person is under pressure, he needs to relax a little bit, so sometimes the members of staff can hear a melody from my office. Secretaries already know what mood I am in according to what I sing.”

4.“Very pleasant, because I am glad that Trnava is live and that there are always so many people, especially young people who want to do something over and above. They don’t wait to get everything, but they are trying to present themselves and give joy to others. I am glad to have people like that in Trnava.”

Peter Horvath, an employee of MK SR:

1.“I always admire nice music and Trnava has always been a place of good music. Especially choir singing is a domain since 19^th century and I believe that Tirnavia choir is the last little root blooming and representing choir singing as well as quality of tradition.”

2.“I think not in singing. That is my handicap, however I would gladly use my courage to do a commentary for a concert.”

3.“I do, but can’t guarantee the quality of my singing performance. They have to tolerate me at home.”

4.“We could listen to one good quality choir which is on a higher standard level of Slovakia.”

Daniel Vopat, a co-founder and member of Tirnavia:

1.“I like it otherwise I wouldn’t be here and sing tonight. I think that every normal person overworked himself to that condition. No one is born with love to classical music.”

2.“Well, I was thinking about that already. When I was deciding about what to do after school, I wanted to sing professionally but later on I aborted that idea because I was not brave enough to do that. I think that now after years I would probably have courage for it.”

3.“Of course I do. I sing all the time and the whole family is telling me off.Nobody likes it, because I sing bass parts, which are incoherent.But folk songs as well. “

4.Fantastic, because I could hear nothing. When you sing in a choir the acoustics is distributed in the way that everything is going to the front. I felt very good when singing.”

Jana Hospodarova, reporter:

1.“I was singing in a choir as a child at an Art School and then at a college. I have nice memories from that period. We experienced intensively every performance. Now thanks Tirnavia I have remembered everything, although on a different level.”

2.“No, I am not a singer and I have never been. I sing satisfactory and adequately like everybody else. There would be some courage probably but talent is missing.”

3.“I love music and often buy CDs. Every time I have my favourite singer and not only am I singing but dancing as well.”

4.“Fantastic. I didn’t really expect that it would be so beautiful like it was. This choir surprised me and I couldn’t believe that it was so wonderful and magnificent.”

Jan Strasser, text writer:

1.“I would tell lies if I said that I am an expert in singing, however today it was very interesting. I learnt something about new musical areas.”

2.“Well, it would require very late night hour, or better early morning one. Otherwise no, not really. I envy singers and I would probably like to do singing, but I realize by dispositions.”

3.“Sure I’m singing, especially when writing texts. There were times when I had even forced composers to use my musical ideas and I was singing to them. When once now already deceased Jaro Filip run away from his piano when I was trying to create the atmosphere for a text. Since then I am not doing it any more.”

4.“The evening is nice because it’s the evening of those who are celebrating and want to relish it. It is fine here.”

Martina Ruttkayova

Trnavsko, Trnava

Tirnavia is celebrating the 15^th anniversary of its foundation by performing 2 concerts

The mixed choir Tirnavia is remembering the 15^th anniversary of its activity on Saturday by performing a celebration concert in Trnava’s Theatre of J. Palarik. After Swiss Montreux the concert combined with a meeting of former choir members is already sold out.

The concert consists of 3 parts – polyphonic one, after which the audience will have an opportunity to see an exhibition of Gallery AND photos in the theatre’s foyer. This will be followed by adaptations of folk songs. During the second break the audience will be able to watch a short documentary film about choir life. The concert will be closed by popular melodies, which will be dominated by a premiere song Tri slova (Three Words) by author duet Jan Strasser and Dezo Ursiny. Andrej Rapant conducts the choir and Jana Hospodarova is accompanying you throughout the programme.

For those fans of choir singing and especially Tirnavia the choir prepared a selection of their concert programme. The programme will be presented on Wednesday 26^th November 2003 at 7pm in Trnava’s Synagogue, which is now a Centre of Contemporary Art, this time accompanied by a reporter Katarina Zitniakova.

“Capacity of the theatre didn’t allow us to invite all our friends, that’s why we offer for us equally important second concert”, the conductor Andrej Rapant said. “I believe that the excellent acoustics of the Synagogue will allow the listeners to experience the compositions even more intensively than in the theatre.”

Martina Ruttkayova (fi)

TH Extra, Trnava, 30 June 2003

After Montreux Tirnavia is preparing a ceremonial concert as well as a new CD

One of the well-known Slovak choirs, mixed choir Tirnavia, has recently returned from a competition tour in Swiss Montreux.

In a small town on the shore of Geneva Lake the young members of the choir under the leadership of a new conductor Andrej Rapant won the nice 4th place. On a usually well-performed Montreux Choral Festival "the tirnavists" managed to achieve a good reputation with the audience as well as with the professionals, which is also proved by an award "VERY GOOD" by the jury of the festival for the presented performance of the choir.

"I sensed the competition in Montreux as a test if we are able to reach beyond the boundaries of our possibilities, because we didn't have much time for preparation. I think that our choir was successful in a competition of 13 other competitors. It was another experience for us, thanks which we will be able to move a step further, especially artistically," evaluated the tour the conductor Andrej Rapant:

"Our performance was appreciated positively by many members of the competition - professionals as well as amateurs. The knowledge that we can dignifiedly represent Slovak choir art, the town Trnava and our country is especially valuable for me. This is really important."

The president of the choir Filip Palkovic added: "Our costumes from Trnava region helped us fantastically. We realize that also due to them we left a good impression and our performance addressed people. The competitive concert was sung with a great vigorousness, the conductor full of enthusiasm managed to pull an energetic performance from the choir. I hope it doesn't sound egoistic if I say that I am still delighted by our performance of 3 modern and 3 Slovak folk songs."

In autumn the choir is preparing celebrations of the 15th anniversary of its foundation. TIRNAVIA will offer a festive concert to the public at the end of November. The choir president Filip Palkovic specifies its meaning: "It will be a concert for our listeners, lovers of choir singing, former members of Tirnavia, sponsors and valuable guests, we would like to thank them all for their support within the existence of the choir. Without them Tirnavia would not be where it is - on concert stages, giving beauty and joy."

Another estimated goal of Tirnavia is a recording of a CD, which will exclusively contain compositions of Slovak authors - adaptations of folk songs and compositions of the 20th century.

"The project of the Slovak CD has a great importance not only for us. We are about to record real "jewels" of Slovak choir production. We believe in success and we offer our listeners quality and integrated artistic work of art," specifies the intention the conductor Andrej Rapant. The recording starts in March 2004 and the CD should reach the listeners a few months later. After the first recording of the choir, realized together with a choir Cantica Nova in year 1998, this will be the profile CD of TIRNAVIA. It only remains to wish that this one would be even more successful than the previous one.


La Presse, Montreux, Monday, April 28, 2003


La Presse, Montreux, Thursday, April 24, 2003 Last night in Auditory of Stravinski Festive Opening of The Choir Festival In Montreaux The Choir Festival began last night. It will continue tonight, on Friday, Saturday and it will be finished by a Sunday gala concert. Especially last night the public could

appreciate the mixed choir Tirnavia from Slovakia..........

Last Night Jubilation of the Choir Festival in Montreaux
On a High Artistic level
Three competitive choirs opened the Choir Festival in Montreaux in the Auditory of Stravinski La Chanson de Montreaux. An opening speech of Frederico Croset, the president of a town council, introduced two Swiss and one Slovak choir that put a lath very high straight from the beginning.

La Presse, 24.4.2003, Montreux CH (196kb)

   Black dresses in contrast with pink files, the singers of a choir Amarithe de Corsier from Geneva, conducted by Christelle Violin, had an honour to open a competition. The conductor, who was in her last year of study of music at The University in Lyon, has chosen a programme oriented on French songs of the 20th century. However, not that convincing for eleven girls to excite the audience!
   Though, the masterpiece by Marcel Gaugard from Lyon met a good response by its character and vividness of voices, so did Ave Verum - delicate and shadowy, a Petites voix by Poulenc with elegant phrasing.
   The musical version by Sergo Yslam of a masterpiece by Saint-Exupery, Little Prince, offered a carefully adapted intonation and confident harmony. Will that be enough?

      Red ones...
   Changed in their magnificent national costumes, the singers of the mixed choir Tirnavia from Slovakia, conducted by Andrej Rapant, offered a varied, lively and fanciful programme. 36 members started with a contemporary composition by Urmas Sisask, followed by a considerable composition by avant-gardist Pekka Kostianen. The voices were strong and intonation exact.
   Three following folklore compositions, lively, dynamic and bright were sung with spirit. Everyone was curiously awaiting a compulsory composition for mixed choirs "Don Quichotte et Sancho Panca" by Carl Hemmerling. Slovak choir singers surprised the audience by their performance, rich shadowing and strong inspiration.

    ...And black ones.
   Dressed all in black, a choir Oberwaliser Vokalensemble from Ausserberg, conducted by Hansrued Kampfen, presented a selection of present European sacral compositions, some of them a little bit strict, however admirably homogeneous. To keep this uniformity the choir abandoned the "compulsory" composition by Hemmerling, however it didn't end up defeated, not to mention their language. The award in this competition was already granted to them in 1998.
   A composition Hodie Christus Natus Est by Damijan Mocnic fascinated by its power and uniformity of voices. While singing a chorale Praetorius, adapted by Sandstorm, the choir was split and the singers took part along the whole hall. It was very vivid and created a very strong impression. The beauty of Ave Maris Stella by Trondo Tverno and a beautiful Magnificat by Wolfram Buchenberg showed very well the huge voice abilities of the choir. Did the choir spoil the audience like 5 years ago? We doubt it, because it's turning is radical! More serious and less folk...

Jean Cossetto

Achievement of the choir Tirnavia in Wales (link: Pravda, july 20, 2002)

TRNAVA - Trnava's mixed choir Tirnavia returned yesterday from The International Choir Festival in Nothern Wales with the achievement for the 3^rd and 4^th place. The choir Tirnavia led by its conductor Gabriel Kalapos competed in a categoy of mixed as well as youth choirs. Among mixed choirs it ended on the 4^th place and among youth choirs it ended on the 3^rd place after the choirs from Canada and South Africa. There were choirs from 50 different countries of the world on the festival.