Iris Oja & UMA
The Echo Of The Universe
New programme by UMA and known estonian singer Iris Oja is based on spiritual ideas, texts and music of both Eastern and Western Christianity.
Silence, minimalism, layers of pure sounds, choral voicing, challenges of church acoustics and electronical treatments make sound arrangements of old Orthodox lines, traditional church songs and Rachmaninov`s Vespers really unique.
Iris Oja has been the leading alto soloist in the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir for more than 10 years with many different programs as well as several recordings for Harmonia Mundi. It is also for Harmonia Mundi she recorded together with pianist R.Vignoles her first solo CD, Russian Songs by Rachmaninov and Shostakovich (2008).
Iris has been much in demand as an oratorio soloist in Estonia and abroad, performing baroque oratorios, passions and masses, as well as works by Beethoven, R.Strauss, I.Stravinky, A.Pärt, T.Tulev and others. She has also been involved in opera and other stage music projects (Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky, Cavalleria rusticana by Mascagni, Eesti Ballaadid by Tormis and other) and given solo song recitals (Liszt and R.Strauss; Rachmaninov and Chaykovsky, various opera arias and Estonian chamber music).
Iris is frequently the singer of choice for the performance of contemporary music. Many new works by Estonian composers have been dedicated to her, which she has also premiered and recorded. She is a member of Resonabilis, a unique ensemble performing contemporary music, which is constantly extending its repertoire in co-operation with different composers.
UMA & Iris Oja, Rachmaninov Vespers by umamusic
UMA & Iris Oja, Kondak Velikogo Kanona by umamusic