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Dedicated to the Baltic Sea Day (22-23 March 2016)

Today we will listen to Alo Mattiisen’s (1961-1996) “Concerto for Typewriter and Orchestra in D-Dur”, 3rd mvt (1985). Tranditionally classified as a progressive rock piece, it goes far beyond the light genre. Listen attentively to the main theme and the way it is developed. It looks least like a simple rock tune, as if trying to use all the twelve tones available and become some kind of relative to the atonal music. And yes, the typewriter enjoys full rights of an instrument treated absolutely equally. With virtuosity does Mattiisen get everything out of it.

The Singing Revolution in the Baltic States (1987 — 1991) is arguably one of the most fascinating cultural and political events that spontaneously happened on the rise of the liberation inspiration. People used to get together and sing along to show their unity and uncompromising decision to live in a free state.

Alo Mattiisen was one of the most prolific composers who contributed to the Estonian side of the revolution delivering five patriotic songs to become extremely popular during the demonstrations.

Although the talented musician died extremely young, his contagious musical imagination inspired a lot of younger composers, both progressive rock and academic.

22 March 2016. — Saint Petersburg (Russia)