Estonian Piano Orchestra
A unique group of eight outstanding
Estonian pianists on four grand pianos
Pianists:
Kristi Kapten, Piret Väinmaa, Mati Mikalai,
Kai Ratassepp, Piret Habak,
Reet Kopvillem-Ruubel,
Johan Randvere, Margus Riimaa
The Estonian Piano Orchestra is a unique ensemble of eight outstanding Estonian pianists performing on four grand pianos.
Formed in 2002, the Orchestra has performed at Kings Place, London (2011), Shanghai International Arts Festival (2015), in New York (2017), at Music Gardens Festival in Warsaw (2017) and in all prestigious halls in Estonia.
The repertoire of the Orchestra ranges from Bach to new, commissioned works by living composers. It includes original works and transcriptions of music by Mozart, Weber, Wagner, Smetana, Ravel, Mussorgsky and other composers. Mussorgski „Pictures from Exhibition“ arranged for eight pianists by Estonian composer and pianist Rein Rannap was premiered at Tallinn Piano Festival in 2016.
The ensemble is a keen commissioner of new music. The premieres of works by leading Estonian, also international composers (Gavin Bryars etc) have been a memorable part of the ensemble´s concerts.
During their concerts the Orchestra often performs in various combinations, assembling dufferent kinds of „surprise ensembles“ ranging from 2 to 8 pianists – thus enriching its repertoire with works by Stravinsky, Milhaud, Reich, Feldman etc.
