This video is provided for educational use only; please contact me at pranav.sivakumar@berkeley.edu regarding any copyright issues.
The original audio is from the Estonian National Symphony's KZread channel: • Lepo Sumera - Symphony... . They post many other excellent performances as well, including more works of Estonian composers that are rarely played elsewhere.
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Olari Elts (live performance)
00:03 I. Moderato tranquillo
07:21 II. Interludium (attacca)
10:19 III. Spirituoso
Lepo Sumera (1950-2000) was an Estonian composer. He was an active participant in the country's musical life, serving as culture minister in 1990-92, chairman of the Estonian Composers' Union, and as a professor at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (where I have played on his personal piano.) Despite his early passing, he wrote six symphonies, two concerti, a number of other orchestral pieces, and a significant volume of chamber works, as well as electronic pieces and incidental music for several plays and films.
Sumera's music emphasizes contrast and creative use of very little musical material; these characteristics are on full display in his second symphony of 1984, considered one of his finest works. In just under 20 minutes, Sumera conjures many different moods from the orchestra, from the delicate harp duet that opens and closes the piece to the powerful flourishes near the end. The entire piece is connected by one or two very simple, easily audible motifs which are constantly transformed in fresh ways.
Although the recording is excellent, the true hypnotic magic of Sumera's music can only be heard live; I was fortunate enough to be in attendance for this very performance. If you ever get a chance, I would highly recommend it!