This year, a committee consisting of international experts chose Marianna Liik to represent Estonia in the Faroe Islands with the work “Out of Breath” (2018) for violin, cello and electronics at the World New Music Days festival organized by the International Society of Contemporary Music (ISCM).
ISCM is the largest international network in the field of contemporary music, connecting more than 50 countries, festivals, new music centers as sub-organizations. The World New Music Days represents a paramount outcome of ISCM’s endeavors, standing out as one of the most crucial contemporary music events for composers, marking a significant highlight in the annual calendar.
In the work “Out of Breath” the violin, cello and electronic timbres enter the dialogue. The composition can be perceived as a journey through rooms in different shades. The piece can be heard on Liik’s album “Januneb valgust / Thirsteth for Light” performed by Merje Roomere and Aare Tammesalu.
In 2017, Marianna Liik completed her master’s degree in composition under the supervision of Helena Tulve and Margo Kõlar, in 2014 she obtained a bachelor’s degree in electroacoustic composition at the same music school, studying under Margo Kõlar and Malle Maltis. In 2017-2018, she furthered her education at the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp (Koninklijk Conservatoire Antwerpen) as a student of Wim Henderickx.
Following established traditions, the festival showcases the compositions of at least one representative from each member country. Every member state puts forth up to six proposed works to the international commission across various musical categories. In the preceding year, Madli-Marje Gildemann and Tõnu Kõrvits served as the representatives of Estonia at the festival held in South Africa.
Annually, the festival is hosted in a different member state. In the current year, the ISCM World New Music Days is scheduled to take place from June 22 to June 30, 2024, in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
The Estonian Composers’ Union has been a member of ISCM since 2005, and in 2019 it was chosen as the host country for ISCM’s major event. In 2014, at the general meeting of ISCM in Wroclaw, Arvo Pärt was also elected an honorary member of the organization as the first Estonian.