Founded in 2003, ensemble U: (Helena Tuuling – clarinet, Levi-Danel Mägila – violoncello, Merje Roomere – violin, Taavi Kerikmäe – piano, Tarmo Johannes – flute, Vambola Krigul – percussion) is currently the most active and renowned contemporary music ensemble in Estonia. It has gained recognition for its ability to perform even the most demanding works without a conductor, openness for bold experimental ideas and sensitivity for sound. In addition to Estonia U: has performed at many international festivals.
U: performs the masterworks of modern composers as well as experimental compositions. One distinct field for U: is to delve into improvisational works and perform pieces that require the rendering of non-traditional notation. The repertoire includes authors from Estonia and abroad and the ensemble values the opportunity to continuously commission new music to be written for them. In 2009 U: released their first album “U:” consisting of works by Estonian composers dedicated to U: between 2004–2009. The CD’s presentation took place in a ‘double reality’ – a virtual concert in Second Life, simultaneous with the live presentation, was the first of its kind in Estonia. The second album “Protuberances” was released in 2011. Third CD, entitled “Alive” (2015) holds exclusively selected live recordings from 2012–2014.
In the field of musical theatre U: has worked with Mart Kangro, one of the internationally most renowned conceptual dance choreographers in Estonia, for several times. Performances “Play” (2006), “Romeo & Juliet” (2008), “Harmony” (2009), “In The Dark” (2019) have stemmed from this collaboration.
In seasons 2013/14, U: celebrated their 10th anniversary and started a lecture-and-concert series entitled “URR – 10 years of resistance”. The series continues to this day, realized in co-operation with the Estonian National Broadcast, with live transmission on Klassikaraadio.
In 2017, U: initiated a project that combines contemporary music, VR (virtual reality) and the nature of Estonia. By 2018 four composers had written site-specific compositions inspired by natural environments, the sounds of those places and U:.
U: was part of “DYCE. Four by Four, Discovering Young Composers of Europe”, a project co-funded through the Creative Europe Programme of the EU during the years 2018-2020.
Founded in 2003, ensemble U: (Helena Tuuling – clarinet, Levi-Danel Mägila – violoncello, Merje Roomere – violin, Taavi Kerikmäe – piano, Tarmo Johannes – flute, Vambola Krigul – percussion) is currently the most active and renowned contemporary music ensemble in Estonia. It has gained recognition for its ability to perform even the most demanding works without a conductor, openness for bold experimental ideas and sensitivity for sound. In addition to Estonia U: has performed at many international festivals.
U: performs the masterworks of modern composers as well as experimental compositions. One distinct field for U: is to delve into improvisational works and perform pieces that require the rendering of non-traditional notation. The repertoire includes authors from Estonia and abroad and the ensemble values the opportunity to continuously commission new music to be written for them. In 2009 U: released their first album “U:” consisting of works by Estonian composers dedicated to U: between 2004–2009. The CD’s presentation took place in a ‘double reality’ – a virtual concert in Second Life, simultaneous with the live presentation, was the first of its kind in Estonia. The second album “Protuberances” was released in 2011. Third CD, entitled “Alive” (2015) holds exclusively selected live recordings from 2012–2014.
In the field of musical theatre U: has worked with Mart Kangro, one of the internationally most renowned conceptual dance choreographers in Estonia, for several times. Performances “Play” (2006), “Romeo & Juliet” (2008), “Harmony” (2009), “In The Dark” (2019) have stemmed from this collaboration.
In seasons 2013/14, U: celebrated their 10th anniversary and started a lecture-and-concert series entitled “URR – 10 years of resistance”. The series continues to this day, realized in co-operation with the Estonian National Broadcast, with live transmission on Klassikaraadio.
In 2017, U: initiated a project that combines contemporary music, VR (virtual reality) and the nature of Estonia. By 2018 four composers had written site-specific compositions inspired by natural environments, the sounds of those places and U:.
U: was part of “DYCE. Four by Four, Discovering Young Composers of Europe”, a project co-funded through the Creative Europe Programme of the EU during the years 2018-2020.
