On March 23, 2024, I had the pleasure of performing in a live broadcast concert celebrating the 50th birthday of Ardo Ran Varres. The event, held in the 1st studio of the Estonian Public Broadcast, showcased a diverse selection of his instrumental concert music, featuring both contemporary and historical instruments, as well as electronic soundscapes…. Continue reading
A Baroque Opera with a Contemporary Edge Since its premiere on November 4, 2023, Vanemuine Theatre’s Handel’s Giulio Cesare production has captivated audiences. As a basso continuo player, I have the unique opportunity to bring historical performance to life in this bold staging. Directed by Elmo Nüganen, this staging blends historical performance with modern political symbolism, making it… Continue reading
The Tallinn Baroque Orchestra celebrated the April 1st with a program of folías and dances mostly from the renaissance era. The folías are associated with foolishness which makes a good connection to the tradition of April Fools. Our orchestra’s leader, composer, arranger, program author, mentor, and harpist Andrew Lawrence-King on the origin of the folías:… Continue reading
Something new and exciting is happening in the early music scene of Estonia. I’m lending the text from a program leaflet of yesterday’s concert, written by Taavi-Mats Utt: “The Tallinn Baroque Orchestra (TBO) has been active for 36 years – it was founded in 1987 by Ivan Monighetti, Taivo Niitvägi, and Egmont Välja. TBO was… Continue reading
25th of March 2016. The ‘Lossimuusika‘ (literally ‘palace music’) is a well-respected series of professional chamber concerts that takes place in the summer residence of the emperor Peter I. With my long-time duo partner Leonora, we played a mixed program of J.S. Bach, C.P.E Bach, Couperin, Reinvere, Takemitsu, and Telemann. The latter was Leonora’s solo…. Continue reading
March 21st, 2015. The birthday of J.S. Bach is celebrated as the European Day of Early Music. At St Mikael’s, Tallinn. Ensemble Floridante: Meelis Orgse – baroque violin, Saale Fischer – harpsichord, Tõnu Jõesaar – viola da gamba, Kristo Käo – theorbo. Program: “Alla romana” About 50 listeners, which is pretty good considering there was another… Continue reading
March 5th, 2015, at St Luke’s Tartu. A beautiful contemporary sacral building and good acoustics, too. Audience: about 30, which is normal. The concert was part of the ‘Contemporary Music Festival dedicated to Heino Eller.’ We performed with a bit of an unusual ensemble: Kadri Sepalaan – violin, Külli Kudu – accordion, arrangements, Kristo Käo… Continue reading
During my recent stay in the United States, I had the rare chance to play a Martin guitar from 1921, which is in very good shape. I almost never touch anything that has other than gut or nylon strings, but this time, I thoroughly enjoyed playing this beautiful instrument. I think this is as close… Continue reading
The beginning of January 2015 saw two members of the Ensemble Floridante – Meelis Orgse and me – performing a duo program ‘Sensitive Baroque’ in the Hika Hall of the Hotel Promenade in Liepaja, Latvia. The program mostly consisted of works by the early Italian baroque masters but not only: Girolamo Kapsberger (1580 – 1651)…. Continue reading
Between Christmas and New Year I was invited to play with the Corelli Baroque Orchestra. The program consisted of music by Marc Antoine Charpentier: the famous Te Deum, Messe de Minuit pour Noel and a Concerto for strings. The concerts took place in the St John’s of Tartu and Tallinn. Both freshly renovated and beautiful… Continue reading