PÄRNU MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023

For ten days from 11 to 21 July Estonia’s summer capital will be filled with the buzz and love of music-making. The 2023 Pärnu Music Festival brings legendary violinist and violist Pinchas Zukerman to Estonia and Neeme Järvi will conduct the festival’s opening concert. Paavo Järvi leads the Estonian Festival Orchestra in four concerts and Kristjan Järvi returns with the Baltic Sea Philharmonic.

“Every year, world-famous soloists have surprised Pärnu’s audiences, and they’ll do it again this summer. Although the programme is traditionally revealed in Spring, we are delighted to already announce the first arrivals to the Pärnu Music Festival,” says Kristjan Hallik, the festival’s CEO.

Pinchas Zukerman, the world-renowned violinist and violist, and a legend of concert halls for more than 50 years, is one of four top soloists who will perform on the Pärnu stage with the Estonian Festival Orchestra (EFO) and conductor Paavo Järvi. The EFO will have busy days ahead, as they will perform for home audiences for a total of four nights.

Kristjan Järvi and the Baltic Sea Philharmonic return to the stage this summer, following their hugely success performance at last year’s festival. Audiences can expect another uplifting concert experience that goes beyond the boundaries of classical music.

The festival kicks off on 12 July with the opening concert led by maestro Neeme Järvi at the Pärnu Concert Hall, which will remain the central venue for the following days. Neeme Järvi’s return to the festival in 2022 after an absence of several years was an emotional reunion and we are delighted that he returns again this summer.

In addition to 10 concerts, the Pärnu Music Festival also includes the Järvi Academy and master classes for young musicians and conductors, led by Neeme Järvi, Paavo Järvi, Kristjan Järvi and leading guest instrumentalists. Registration and receipt of applications will start in the new year. Also, for the third summer in a row, you can catch the Pärnu Concert Hall’s music events via Pärnu Music Festival TV.


The Pärnu Music Festival is one of the most renowned international classical music festivals in Estonia, combining the Järvi Academy and workshops for young musicians. With the Estonian Festival Orchestra, Paavo Järvi has created a top class resident ensemble which has also toured throughout Asia and Europe, making history as the first Estonian orchestra to perform at the BBC Proms in London.

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Järvi Academy in Tallinn

Tuesday, 11 July 2023 20:00, St. John’s Church, Tallinn – Järvi Academy in Tallinn Participants of Järvi AcademyJärvi Academy Sinfonietta Theodor Sink (cello) Galina Grigorjeva (1962) – Molitva (The Prayer)…

Pärnu Music Festival opening concert

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 20:00, Pärnu Concert HallConductor Neeme JärviSinfonietta Riga Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) – Divertimento No. 17 in D Major KV 334/320b (1779/80)Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) – Symphony No….

Järvi Academy gala

Thursday, 13 July 2023 20:00, Pärnu Concert HallTeachers and participants of Järvi AcademyJärvi Academy SinfoniettaTheodor Sink (cello) Paul Hindemith (1895–1963) – “Little Chamber Music” for Wind Quintet (1922)Tõnu Kõrvits (1969)…

Paavo Järvi & Estonian Festival Orchestra

Saturday, 15 July 2023⋅20:00Conductor Paavo JärviPinchas Zukerman (viola)Amanda Forsyth (cello) Jüri Reinvere (1971) – Premiere (2023)Richard Strauss (1864-1949) – “Tod und Verklärung” Op. 24 (1890)Hector Berlioz (1803–1869) – “Harold in…

Paavo Järvi & Estonian Festival Orchestra

Sunday, 16 July 2023⋅20:00, Pärnu Concert Hall Conductor Paavo JärviMirjam Mesak (soprano) Jüri Reinvere (1971) – Premiere (2023) Richard Strauss (1864–1949) – Tod und Verklärung Op. 24 (1890) Alban Berg…

Estonian Foundation of Musical Instruments

Monday, 17 July 2023 19:00, Pärnu Concert Hall Florian Donderer and Artists of the Estonian Foundation of Musical InstrumentsPärnu Music Festival Chamber Orchestra Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) – Concerts

Night Concert

Monday, 17 July 2023 22:00, Pärnu Concert Hall – Night Concert Zee Zee (piano), Sha Katsouris, Artur Podlesniy (violin), Andres Kaljuste (viola), Marcel Kits, Paul Suss (cello) Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873–1943)…

Chamber Music gala

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 20:00, Pärnu Concert Hall – Chamber Music galaArtists from Estonian Festival Orchestra Antonín Dvořák, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Johann Strauss, Florence Price

Järvi Academy final concert

Wednesday, 19 July 2023 20:00, Pärnu Concert Hall Participants of Järvi AcademyMatthew Hunt (clarinet)Järvi Academy Youth Symphony Orchestra Artur Kapp (1878–1952) – Overture Don Carlos (1899) Claude Debussy (1862–1918) –…

Pärnu Music Festival final concert I

Thursday, 20 July 2023 20:00, Pärnu Concert Hall Conductor Paavo JärviFrançois Leleux (oboe) Arvo Pärt (1935) – Collage über B-A-C-H (1964) Richard Strauss (1864–1949) – Concerto for Oboe in D…

Pärnu Music Festival final concert II

Friday, 21 July 2023 20:00, Pärnu Concert HallConductor Paavo JärviFazıl Say (piano) Arvo Pärt (1935) – Collage über B-A-C-H (1964Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) – Piano Concerto No. 3 in C…

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