KAVA

Jan Kalliwoda (1801–1866)
Duo for Violin and Viola, Op. 208 No. 1
Allegro risvegliato

Henri Vieuxtemps (1820–1881)
Tarantella, Op. 22

Carl Maria von Weber (1786–1826) / Jascha Heifetz (1901–1987)
Rondo

Gaspar Cassadó (1897–1966)
Toccata / Toccata in the style of Frescobaldi

Sergei Prokofiev (1891–1953)
Пять мелодий / 5 Melodies

Rasmus Puur (1991*)
Summer from the cycle “The Seasons”

Efrem Zimbalist (1889–1985)
Fantasy / Fantasy on themes from N. Rimsky-Korsakov’s opera “The Golden Cockerel”

KRISTEL EEROJA-PÕLDOJA graduated in 1988 from Tallinn Music High School in the violin class of T. Peäske. From 1988–1993 she studied at the Tallinn Conservatory under Prof. J. Gerretz. From 1988–1998 she worked as a violin teacher at Tallinn Music High School and at the same time was Associate Concertmaster of the 2nd violins in the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra. From 1997–2006 Eeroja-Põldoja was Concertmaster of the Pärnu City Orchestra, from 1998–2013 and 2021–2024 Concertmaster of the Vanemuine Symphony Orchestra and since 1998 a violin teacher and Head of the String Department at the Heino Eller Music School. Eeroja-Põldoja has performed in many chamber ensembles with various distinguished Estonian performers (L. Leiten, T. Vavilov, A. Tammesalu, A. Mustonen, I. Sillamaa, K.-A. Sumera etc.). As a soloist she has performed with the Vanemuine Symphony Orchestra and the Pärnu City Orchestra (Mendelssohn Violin Concerto, Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 1, Mozart “Duo Concertante”, Beethoven “Triple Concerto”, Beethoven Romances in F major and G major). Eeroja-Põldoja is a founding member of the Tartu String Quartet, established in 2006, where she plays first violin. The quartet has performed in almost all Estonian cities and also in Finland. The Tartu String Quartet is the direct successor of the Eller String Quartet, originally formed to perform at events of the Heino Eller Music School. The first concert under this name took place on April 19, 2006 in the Aula of the University of Tartu, followed by concerts at Kadriorg Palace, Tallinn Town Hall, Meder Hall, St. John’s Church in Tallinn, St. Nicholas’ Church and in many places across Estonia: Türi, Rakvere, Kuressaare, Häädemeeste and others. In 2007 the quartet participated in the Vanemuine Theatre summer production “Possible Encounter” at Pädaste Manor. In 2008 they performed Mendelssohn’s “Bartholdy Octet” together with the Tobias String Quartet at the Suure-Jaani Music Festival; concerts with the same ensemble and programme took place in 2010 in Tallinn and Tartu. The Tartu String Quartet has also participated in Christmas concerts of Tartu choirs (TAM, 2018 and Tartu Youth Choir, 2019) at St. John’s Church and St. Paul’s Church in Tartu. During the last three seasons Eeroja-Põldoja had the great pleasure of working as Concertmaster with the rapidly developing orchestra of the Vanemuine Theatre. In spring 2024 she was involved in a quartet consisting of Vanemuine orchestra members (J. J. Restrepo, H.-M. Maadra and E. Cirulis). In the foyer concert series they performed Dvořák’s String Quartet No. 12 “American”. Since 2022 Eeroja-Põldoja has conducted the String Orchestra of the Heino Eller Music School. Kristel Eeroja-Põldoja plays a violin made by Sibylle Fehr-Borchardt.

KRÕÕT INGEL EESMAA (b. 2008) began her violin studies at the age of five at Tartu I Music School in the violin class of T. Koitla. In 2024 she continues her studies at the Heino Eller Music School in the violin class of K. Eeroja-Põldoja. She has participated in several string camps and masterclasses, where she has been guided by N. Murdvee, K. Välja, A. Ratassepp, R. Lipinaitytė and M. Männi among others. Krõõt Ingel Eesmaa is a diploma recipient of the XIV Estonian Young String Players Competition-Festival.

INDREK ROOSAAR began playing the violin at the age of three. His first steps were taken together with his mother, E. Roosaare, who is a violin teacher at the Heino Eller Music School. From the age of five Roosaar has studied under K. Eeroja-Põldoja at the Heino Eller Music School and is currently in his second year. During the past three years he has had the opportunity to perform as a soloist at the Heino Eller Music School’s “Future Musicians” concert on the stage of the Vanemuine Concert Hall in front of the Vanemuine Symphony Orchestra and will also perform as a soloist this year. Roosaar has also tried his hand at composing. For his 8th grade creative project he completed a Violin Concerto. He is currently working on several compositions and arrangements, mainly for orchestra. Roosaar has participated in many competitions in Estonia and abroad. His recent results include 1st Prize at the International Boys’ String Festival in Kuressaare (2024) and Laureate of the XIV Estonian Young String Players Competition-Festival (II age group, 2024). Roosaar has played in the Karijärve String Orchestra since the age of five and is currently its Concertmaster. At orchestra concerts he has also performed as a soloist and in chamber ensemble (International Boys’ String Festival in Kuressaare, 1st Prize together with K. Roosaar and M. M. Onni, 2022). Roosaar currently plays a violin made in Italy by the luthier Gaspar Borchardt, owned by the Heino Eller Music School.

HANNA-LISETE SELLIS began her music studies at the age of seven at Põlva Music School as a violin student under T.-M. Arundi. After one and a half years she changed from violin to viola on her teacher’s recommendation, and the viola has since become her main instrument. After graduating from Põlva Music School and basic school, she continued her studies at the Heino Eller Music School in the class of K. Eeroja-Põldoja and is currently in her second year. Sellis actively participates in competitions, from which she has received several prizes and special awards. She has taken part in the Liivimaa Competition, ESTA Competition, the competition “Best Young Instrumentalist” and the International August Dombrovskis Competition. These competitions have given her valuable stage experience and performance confidence. Sellis is a diploma recipient of the XIV Estonian Young String Players Competition-Festival. In addition to solo performance, she has versatile orchestral experience. Currently her main orchestra is the Heino Eller String Orchestra, where she plays regularly. Previously she has played in the Põlva Music School String Orchestra and has assisted both the Nõmme Music School Symphony Orchestra and the University of Tartu Symphony Orchestra. She has also participated in many project orchestras in Estonia and abroad, including the KRATT Festival Chamber Orchestra, the ESOL Festival Orchestra and various accompanying orchestras. She has gained international orchestral experience at the German-Scandinavian Music Week and the FesTaRi Festival. Hanna-Lisete Sellis plays a viola made by Alpo Hannikainen.

EBE MÜNTEL began her music studies at Nõo Children’s Music School under I. Jakapi. She completed the next stage of her studies at the Heino Eller Music School under A. Antzon. She obtained her higher education at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, where her teachers were I. Ilja and T. Joamets. Since 2004 Müntel has continuously performed in a piano duo with J. Toots. Their ensemble work has been supported by Prof. M. Reimann and the duo has participated in several international competitions. Since the same year Ebe Müntel has worked at the Heino Eller Music School as an accompanist and teacher.