Music Award

Interpretation Award – Olari Elts

Outstanding interpretative activity and a significant contribution to the artistic development of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.

The award is supported by the Estonian Performers’ Union.

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Arne Mikk

An exceptional contribution to the development of Estonian opera.

Composition Award – Robert Jürjendal – for an original musical language and a diverse body of compositions.

Interpretation Award – Age Juurikas – for outstanding concert activity as a pianist.

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Aarne Saluveer – for his contribution to the Estonian choral movement and music education.

Composition Award – Tauno Aints

A versatile and distinctive body of compositions that brings together different genres.

Interpretation Award – Ain Anger

Distinguished representation of Estonian vocal art on the world’s opera and concert stages.

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Karmel Killandi

Long-standing, mission-driven coverage of Estonian musical life on television.

Composition Award – Tõnis Kaumann

A prolific body of work that convincingly unites vivid theatricality, humor, and diverse styles, ranging from chamber music to opera.

Interpretation Award – piano duo Kai Ratassepp and Mati Mikalai

For focused and artistically high-level creative activity.

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Villu Veski

A jazz musician, a generator and implementer of exciting ideas, and the organizer of the Juu Jääb festival for over a quarter of a century.

Interpretation Award – Olari Elts

Composition Award – Peeter Vähi

Interpretation Award – Arvo Volmer

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Hirvo Surva

Heliloomingupreemia – Urmas Sisask – omanäolise, kõiksusest inspireeritud loomingu eest

Interpretatsioonipreemia – Peep Lassmann – kaaluka panuse eest eesti pianismi arengusse

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life –

Kadri Leivategija – missioonitundelise ja eesmärgipärase tegevuse eest muusikaelu ja – hariduse edendamisel

Heliloomingupreemia – Timo Steiner – piire laiendav looming

Interpretatsioonipreemia – Toomas Vavilov– silmapaistev klarnetikunstnik

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Aare Tammesalu – a mission-driven contributor to the enrichment of concert life.

Composition Award – Märt-Matis Lill – for a significant contribution to Estonian composition.

Interpretation Award – Lembit Saarsalu – a towering figure of Estonian jazz.

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Madis Kolk – for his substantial contribution to concert organization.

Composition Award – Jüri Reinvere – for a body of work with a global scope.

Interpretatsioonipreemia – PAAVO JÄRVI – tippdirigendina eesti muusika maailmakaardil hoidmise eest

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Evi Arujärv – for her invaluable contribution to the interpretation and understanding of Estonian contemporary music.

Composition Award – Ülo Krigul – for his brilliant and genre-diverse body of work.

Interpretation Award – Vello Pähn – for his significant contribution to the artistic development of the Estonian National Opera.

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Tiina Mattisen – for her long-standing contribution to interpreting and documenting musical culture.

Composition Award – Anti Marguste

Interpretation Award – Tallinn Piano Duo – Nata-Ly Sakkos and Toivo Peäske

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Linda Madalik

Composition Award – Rein Rannap

Interpretation Award – Jüri Alperten

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Vardo Rumessen

The awarding of the prizes is supported by Estonian Authors’ Society, Kaubamaja AS, and the Cultural Endowment of Estonia – Sound Art Endowment.
The value of each award is 3,500 euros.

Composition Award – SVEN GRÜNBERG

Interpretation Award – Tallinn Chamber Orchestra

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Tiia Järg

Composition Award – Arvo Pärt

Interpretation Award – Neeme Järvi

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Marje Lohuaru

Composition Award – René Eespere – for a compelling body of work imbued with national, cultural, and fundamental human values.

Interpretation Award – Tõnu Naissoo – a towering figure of Estonian jazz.

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Ants Saluraid – the Guardian of Estonian pianos.

Composition Award – Eino Tamberg – to a towering figure of Estonian music, for his deeply human and uplifting compositions.

Interpretation Award – Tõnu Kaljuste – for his powerful interpretative activity in Estonia and internationally.

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Anne Erm – for her long-term and far-reaching contribution to jazz.

Composition Award – Veljo Tormis – to a towering figure of Estonian music, who gave new life to the heritage of Estonian and kindred peoples.

Interpretation Award – Eri Klas – for decades of outstanding work as a conductor.

Award Laureate for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Laine Leichter – the legendary teacher behind a powerful school of cellists.

Composition Award – Ester Mägi – a towering figure of Estonian composition.

Interpretation Award – NYYD Ensemble – for making Estonian and international contemporary music audible and engaging.

Award Laureate for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Toomas Siitan – a driving force of early music as a pedagogue, scholar, and performer.

The awarding of the prizes is supported respectively by Estonian Authors’ Society, Merko Ehitus, and the Cultural Endowment of Estonia – Sound Art Endowment.

The jury, consisting of Peep Lassmann, Olav Ehala, Urvi Haasma, Jüri Leiten, Jaan-Eik Tulve, Ülo Krigul, Andres Siitan, and Timo Steiner, selected the award laureates from among 30 candidates nominated by members of the Estonian Music Council.

Composition Award – Tõnu Kõrvits – for his colorful contribution to Estonian orchestral music.

Interpretation Award – Aile Asszonyi – for vocal mastery and brilliant roles.

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Jaan Ross – for his era-defining music publications and for his contributions to bringing Estonian musicology to the international arena.

Composition Award – Toivo Tulev – for the creation of outstanding musical works.

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Andres Uibo – for his 20 years of leadership of an international organ festival and for organizing other significant music events.

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Andres Uibo – for his 20 years of leadership of an international organ festival and for organizing other significant music events.

Composition Award – Olav Ehala – for a body of compositions that unites generations, tastes, and hearts.

Interpretation Award – Arvo Leibur – for his contribution to shaping the sound of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and for outstanding solo performance activity.

Olav Ehala (born 1950) is one of the most beloved and frequently performed Estonian composers. He has written music for more than sixty stage productions, the most notable of which include:

Olav Ehala is the composer of “Nukitsamees” (both the film and musical versions) and the musicals “Sabata krokodill,” “Oliver ja Jennyfer,” “Johnny,” “Burattino,” “Thijl Ulenspiegel,” and “Kaotajad.”
He has written music for more than 40 films, including “Don Juan Tallinnas,” “Karoliine hõbelõng,” “Tapöör,” “Tulivesi,” “Lurjus,” “Kallis Härra Q,” Priit Pärn’s animated films “Ja teeb trikke…,” “Harjutusi iseseisvaks eluks,” “Kolmnurk,” “Aeg maha,” “Eine murul,” “Hotell E,” “1895,” “Porgandite öö,” “Karl ja Marilyn,” Riho Unt’s “Kapsapea,” “Tagasi Euroopasse,” “Pliuhkam internetis,” the series “Tom ja Fluffy” and “Lotte” by Janno Põldma and Heiki Ernits, and Rao Heidmets’s “Papa Carlo teater” and “Noblesse Oblige,” among others.
Since 1991, Olav Ehala has been a faculty member at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, and since 2001 he has served as Chairman of the Estonian Composers’ Union.

Arvo Leibur (born 1964) has distinguished himself in both Estonian and Dutch musical life as a concertmaster and soloist with various orchestras. He is in his fifth season as concertmaster of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestraand has served as concertmaster of the Amsterdam-based Holland Symfonia since 1995. He has appeared as a soloist with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra on more than 20 occasions since 1981.

In addition to solo concerts, he has attracted the attention of audiences and music critics alike for his filigree orchestral solos and his work as a chamber musician. In Estonia, his most significant chamber music partners have included pianists Lauri Väinmaa, Vardo Rumessen, Ivari Ilja, and Peep Lassmann; clarinetist Toomas Vavilov; cellist Henry-David Varema; violinist Martti Mägi; guitarist Heiki Mätlik; and percussionist Terje Terasmaa.

Composition Award – Helena Tulve – for her outstanding contribution to Estonian contemporary music.

Interpretation Award – Irina Zahharenkova – for her concert activity and successful performances at international competitions.

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Endel Lippus – for his services in the development of Estonian music education.

Preemiad antakse pidulikult üle rahvusvahelisele muusikapäevale pühendatud ERSO kontserdil, 1.oktoobril “Estonia” kontserdisaalis. Preemiate suurus on 50 000 krooni.

2004. a. The awarding of the prizes is supported by Olympic Casino Eesti AS, Estonian Authors’ Society, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Estonian National Opera, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, and the Commission for the Distribution of Private Copying Compensation.

The Estonian Music Council awards music prizes to recognize Estonian musicians or music institutions whose activities have contributed to the development of the music sector.
The jury—comprising the Board of the Estonian Music Council together with representatives of the donors—selects the award recipients from among the candidates nominated by members of the Estonian Music Council.

Interpretation Award – Andres Mustonen and Hortus Musicus – for long-term, focused, and successful creative activity.

Interpretatsiooni preemia: ANDRES MUSTONEN ja ANSAMBEL HORTUS MUSICUS – pikaajalise sihipärase ja tulemusliku loomingulise tegevuse eest

Award for Significant and Outstanding Contribution to Musical Life – Valter Ojakäär – for his major contribution to the development of Estonian jazz music.

Estonian Radio Klassikaraadio – for active coverage of musical life and for introducing and promoting the works of Estonian composers and performers both in Estonia and internationally.