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
Online music education has seen a rapid expansion with the proliferation of the internet, making it more accessible to people around the world. However, private music lessons can still be expensive, leading many individuals to rely on one-way instructional materials that provide information but do not offer any feedback. In a recent research paper (Käo,… 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
Today at midnight I will play a recital at the Old Water Tower of Viljandi. It is part of the annual Viljandi Guitar Festival who published a short interview with me on that occasion (not my translation!): INTERVIEW 1) On which aspects of your performance would You recommend the audience to concentrate? Let’s say that… Continue reading
Yesterday was the international day of music – 1st of Oct. On that occasion Estonian Music Council organized 147 free concerts around the country. The performers included all major orchestras, most of the important chamber ensembles and soloists. The venues ranging from schools, trains and plain to jail and mental hospital. My day started at 10:30… Continue reading
On Sat, 20th of Sep 2014 at 4:00 PM in Pärnu St Elisbeth’s we played a program with the baroque music ensemble Floridante and soprano Kai Kallastu. Members of Floridante that played in that program: Meelis Orgse (baroque violin), Saale Fischer (harpsichord), Tõnu Jõesaar (viola da gamba) and Kristo Käo (theorbo). Meelis has studied the violin… Continue reading