XV TALLINN CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL 21st – 30th of August 2019
29th of August at 7 PM
Town Hall
CARPE DIEM
Pille Lill (soprano), Eve Neumann (saxophone), Jaak Lutsoja (accordion),
violin players Maano Männi and Kristina Kriit, Johanna Vahermägi (viola),
cellists Andreas Lend and Vladimir Reshetko (Russia/Finland)
Programme: Pertmann “Songs of Siuru” (world premiere),
Schubert String Quintet
Tickets 10€ / 15€
KAVA / PROGRAMM
Aaro Pertmann (*1971)
– “Siuru laulud” op. 52 sopranile, altsaksofonile, tšellole ja akordionile (2018/2019)
1. Sonett (tekst: M. Under)
2. Carpe diem (tekst: H. Visnapuu)
3. Ei eäl ole ma nii rõõmus olnu (tekst: A. Adson)
4. Lilled palavikus (tekst: J. Semper)
5. Õhtu (tekst: M. Under)
*
Franz Schubert (1797-1828)
– Keelpillikvintett C-duur /
String Quintet in C-Major D. 956
Allegro ma non troppo
Adagio Scherzo. Presto
Trio. Andante sostenuto
Scherzo
Allegretto
PILLE LILL
is a renowned opera singer and a cultural activist, starting her journey as a musician with piano studies at Pärnu Children’s Music School. She has graduated the Estonian Academy of Music and Theater (EAMT) with two specialties – music pedagogy and opera singing. She continued her studies at the master’s level of the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama and defended her master’s degree at the Helsinki Sibelius Academy. During 2004–2011 she furthered her skills at the doctorate level of EAMT (Prof. Jaakko Ryhänen) and in 2005-2006 at the University of Music Karlsruhe. In addition, she has taken part of the masterclasses of several world-famous musicians (E. Söderström, I. Gage, E. Kirkby, M. Sillem, W. Vernocchi, G. Hinz etc.). P. Lill has performed as an opera, oratorio and chamber music singer in numerous countries. She has sung lead roles in nearly 30 operas and cooperated with distinguished conductors. She has premiered several works of contemporary composers, she has done numerous recordings for Estonian Public Broadcasting and her voice is captured on many CD-s. P. Lill has been awarded with the Big Dipper Award for Best Female Singer (1996) and she has been a laureate of the Georg Ots prize (2002), a grantee of the Wagner Society Scholarship (1998) and the 3rd class honoree of the Order of Bishop Platon (2005). She has been rewarded with the UNICEF Bluebird Award (2009), the Music Endowments’ Annual Award of the Estonian Cultural Endowment (2014), the 4th class Order of the White Star (2016) and the Esther of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia (2017). From 1997 to 2003 P. Lill was a teacher in EAMT (assistant professor since 2003 and she has given master classes in several countries (Germany, Finland, Russia, Belarus, Latvia, Israel etc.). She has been a part of the jury of international competitions for opera singers and she is the creator and a jury member of the National Vocal Contest (2009, 2013, 2017). From 2003-2009 she was a board member of the Association of Estonian Professional Musicians and at this time she is a board member of the Estonian Chamber of Culture and the Finnish-Estonian Culture Fund. In 2003, she founded PLMF Music Trust and she is the creator and leader of PLMF Academia Nova learning center since 2017.
is a renowned opera singer and a cultural activist, starting her journey as a musician with piano studies at Pärnu Children’s Music School. She has graduated the Estonian Academy of Music and Theater (EAMT) with two specialties – music pedagogy and opera singing. She continued her studies at the master’s level of the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama and defended her master’s degree at the Helsinki Sibelius Academy. During 2004–2011 she furthered her skills at the doctorate level of EAMT (Prof. Jaakko Ryhänen) and in 2005-2006 at the University of Music Karlsruhe. In addition, she has taken part of the masterclasses of several world-famous musicians (E. Söderström, I. Gage, E. Kirkby, M. Sillem, W. Vernocchi, G. Hinz etc.). P. Lill has performed as an opera, oratorio and chamber music singer in numerous countries. She has sung lead roles in nearly 30 operas and cooperated with distinguished conductors. She has premiered several works of contemporary composers, she has done numerous recordings for Estonian Public Broadcasting and her voice is captured on many CD-s. P. Lill has been awarded with the Big Dipper Award for Best Female Singer (1996) and she has been a laureate of the Georg Ots prize (2002), a grantee of the Wagner Society Scholarship (1998) and the 3rd class honoree of the Order of Bishop Platon (2005). She has been rewarded with the UNICEF Bluebird Award (2009), the Music Endowments’ Annual Award of the Estonian Cultural Endowment (2014), the 4th class Order of the White Star (2016) and the Esther of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia (2017). From 1997 to 2003 P. Lill was a teacher in EAMT (assistant professor since 2003 and she has given master classes in several countries (Germany, Finland, Russia, Belarus, Latvia, Israel etc.). She has been a part of the jury of international competitions for opera singers and she is the creator and a jury member of the National Vocal Contest (2009, 2013, 2017). From 2003-2009 she was a board member of the Association of Estonian Professional Musicians and at this time she is a board member of the Estonian Chamber of Culture and the Finnish-Estonian Culture Fund. In 2003, she founded PLMF Music Trust and she is the creator and leader of PLMF Academia Nova learning center since 2017.
EVE NEUMANN
started musical studies in the piano class of Keila Music School and continued in the Georg Ots Music School, where she studied saxophone. She has obtained a diploma as a soloist and orchestral player in the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (2002, Prof. Olavi Kasemaa). In addition to several master classes (J. Pettersson, C. Johnsson, C. Bois), she has also improved her skills at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki (Prof. Pekka Savijoki) and at the Netherland Utrecht Hoogeschool voor de Kunsten (Prof. Johan van der Linden). E. Neumann has participated in festival “Saxomania” (1997), competition for young interprets “Con Brio” (2002) and in 2003, Eve won IV place and diploma at the H. Kareva International Competition for Saxophone Players. She has cooperated with the harpsichord player Ene Nael, organists Tiia Tenno and Pille Metsson, Tallinn Saxophone Quartet and Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. E. Neumann has worked as a teacher at Tallinn Music School, Viimsi Music School and Keila Music School. She is a member and one of the founders of saxophone quartet Quattro Quarti and a founder and board member of Estonian Saxophone Association. E. Neumann is a member of the NATO Saxophone Orchestra created in 2015 with which she gave a concert at the 17th World Saxophone Congress and Festival. In 2016 she put together saxophone quartet FinEst in which saxophone players of the orchestras of the Estonian Defence Forces and Finnish Guard joined forces. In addition, she has gained an MA degree on free and contemporary improvisation (2019) and is as active advocate of this art form. E. Neumann works as a principal saxophonist in the Orchestra of the Estonian Defence Forces.
started musical studies in the piano class of Keila Music School and continued in the Georg Ots Music School, where she studied saxophone. She has obtained a diploma as a soloist and orchestral player in the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (2002, Prof. Olavi Kasemaa). In addition to several master classes (J. Pettersson, C. Johnsson, C. Bois), she has also improved her skills at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki (Prof. Pekka Savijoki) and at the Netherland Utrecht Hoogeschool voor de Kunsten (Prof. Johan van der Linden). E. Neumann has participated in festival “Saxomania” (1997), competition for young interprets “Con Brio” (2002) and in 2003, Eve won IV place and diploma at the H. Kareva International Competition for Saxophone Players. She has cooperated with the harpsichord player Ene Nael, organists Tiia Tenno and Pille Metsson, Tallinn Saxophone Quartet and Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. E. Neumann has worked as a teacher at Tallinn Music School, Viimsi Music School and Keila Music School. She is a member and one of the founders of saxophone quartet Quattro Quarti and a founder and board member of Estonian Saxophone Association. E. Neumann is a member of the NATO Saxophone Orchestra created in 2015 with which she gave a concert at the 17th World Saxophone Congress and Festival. In 2016 she put together saxophone quartet FinEst in which saxophone players of the orchestras of the Estonian Defence Forces and Finnish Guard joined forces. In addition, she has gained an MA degree on free and contemporary improvisation (2019) and is as active advocate of this art form. E. Neumann works as a principal saxophonist in the Orchestra of the Estonian Defence Forces.
MAANO MÄNNI
has graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (1992, Prof. Jüri Gerretz). He has worked as a concert master at the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra (1993-1996) and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (1993-2000) and since 2002 at the Vaasa City Orchestra in Finland. In addition to orchestral work, M. Männi is an active chamber musician, performing with international musicians such as Ralf Gothoni (piano), Torleif Thedéen (cello), Yuval Gotlibovich (viola) etc. In 2001, M. Männi co-founded, with cellist Aare Tammesalu, the Tobias String Quartet, with which they have played in several parts of Europe, including Konzerthaus in Berlin (2015) and Capella Hall in St. Petersburg (2018). He has been a soloist in front of several orchestras conducted by outstanding conductors, including Neeme Järvi, Alexander Vedernikov, Andrei Boreiko, Arvo Volmer, Juha Kangas, Jin Wang and others. M. Männi has furthered his skills at the orchestral conducting courses of Jorma Panula, Leonid Grin and Ilmar Tõnisson. He has led the Estonian Sinfonietta as well as Vaasa and Pärnu City orchestras. He likes to synthesize musical styles and put together unique concert programs. In Vaasa, the concerts conducted by M. Männi which are meant for various audiences (school and senior concerts), as well as wish concerts (“Sinun hetkesi-Din stund”, the Flamenco and Tango Nuevo concerts, the Tchaikovsky portrait), have earned the audience’s favour. In 2015, he directed Glass Bead Game Sinfonietta at Evald Vainu’s jubilee concerts “Optimist” with the actors of the Tallinn City Theatre in Estonia’s major concert halls, which were also recorded for ETV. M. Männi has recorded for several record companies including Erdeklang, Ondine and Alba Records. In 2012, the CD “Six seasons +” was released, where he performs the works of Astor Piazzolla and Evald Vainu for violin and orchestra as the soloist of the Pärnu City Orchestra. The record has received positive feedback, and music critic Igor Garshnek has said: ““Six seasons +” to every record shelf!” (Sirp, 2013/10/04). In 2014, the Vaasa City Orchestra CD was released called “Finnish Lyricism and Romance” on which M. Männi plays as a soloist in Toivo Kuula’s violin piece Notturno Op. 3a/2 orchestrated by himself. During the 2017/2018 concert season, he led Vaasa City Orchestra on several occasions, where, among others, a reputable soprano Camilla Nylund appeared as a soloist. With the Estonian Sinfonietta, he has had close cooperation since the founding of the orchestra in January 2017. Together they have performed at various festivals in Estonia (e.g. Kuressaare Chamber Festival), as well as in Greece and Israel. In 2019, M. Männi performed in front of the Estonian Sinfonietta at the Estonian Concert Hall as a soloist, conductor as well as concert master and he performed at the Golden Hall of Vienna Musikverein, with Kristiina Poska as the conductor. As of 2016, M. Männi plays on the French master Charles François Gandi’s violin from 1810 of the Finnish Cultural Endowment.
has graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (1992, Prof. Jüri Gerretz). He has worked as a concert master at the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra (1993-1996) and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (1993-2000) and since 2002 at the Vaasa City Orchestra in Finland. In addition to orchestral work, M. Männi is an active chamber musician, performing with international musicians such as Ralf Gothoni (piano), Torleif Thedéen (cello), Yuval Gotlibovich (viola) etc. In 2001, M. Männi co-founded, with cellist Aare Tammesalu, the Tobias String Quartet, with which they have played in several parts of Europe, including Konzerthaus in Berlin (2015) and Capella Hall in St. Petersburg (2018). He has been a soloist in front of several orchestras conducted by outstanding conductors, including Neeme Järvi, Alexander Vedernikov, Andrei Boreiko, Arvo Volmer, Juha Kangas, Jin Wang and others. M. Männi has furthered his skills at the orchestral conducting courses of Jorma Panula, Leonid Grin and Ilmar Tõnisson. He has led the Estonian Sinfonietta as well as Vaasa and Pärnu City orchestras. He likes to synthesize musical styles and put together unique concert programs. In Vaasa, the concerts conducted by M. Männi which are meant for various audiences (school and senior concerts), as well as wish concerts (“Sinun hetkesi-Din stund”, the Flamenco and Tango Nuevo concerts, the Tchaikovsky portrait), have earned the audience’s favour. In 2015, he directed Glass Bead Game Sinfonietta at Evald Vainu’s jubilee concerts “Optimist” with the actors of the Tallinn City Theatre in Estonia’s major concert halls, which were also recorded for ETV. M. Männi has recorded for several record companies including Erdeklang, Ondine and Alba Records. In 2012, the CD “Six seasons +” was released, where he performs the works of Astor Piazzolla and Evald Vainu for violin and orchestra as the soloist of the Pärnu City Orchestra. The record has received positive feedback, and music critic Igor Garshnek has said: ““Six seasons +” to every record shelf!” (Sirp, 2013/10/04). In 2014, the Vaasa City Orchestra CD was released called “Finnish Lyricism and Romance” on which M. Männi plays as a soloist in Toivo Kuula’s violin piece Notturno Op. 3a/2 orchestrated by himself. During the 2017/2018 concert season, he led Vaasa City Orchestra on several occasions, where, among others, a reputable soprano Camilla Nylund appeared as a soloist. With the Estonian Sinfonietta, he has had close cooperation since the founding of the orchestra in January 2017. Together they have performed at various festivals in Estonia (e.g. Kuressaare Chamber Festival), as well as in Greece and Israel. In 2019, M. Männi performed in front of the Estonian Sinfonietta at the Estonian Concert Hall as a soloist, conductor as well as concert master and he performed at the Golden Hall of Vienna Musikverein, with Kristiina Poska as the conductor. As of 2016, M. Männi plays on the French master Charles François Gandi’s violin from 1810 of the Finnish Cultural Endowment.
KRISTINA KRIIT
has obtained her master’s degree in Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (Prof. Mari Tampere-Bezrodny, 2004) and furthered her skills with Prof. Igor Bezrodny, Eduard Schmieder, Pavel Vernikov and Hermann Krebbers. In addition, she has studied in Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg (2001-2002, Prof. Hermann Krebbers). K. Kriit has taken part of several international competitions, from which the most important are Heino Eller Competition in Tallinn (special prize, 1996) and Henryk Wieniawski Competition in Poland (Lublin, 1997). K. Kriit is a valued contemporary musician and she has performed as a soloist and a chamber musician in almost every country of Europe and Scandinavia. She has twice been a scholar of the reputed Holland Music Sessions. In 2005 K. Kriit was one of the founders of Tallinn String Trio and in 2009 trio “Madrigal” with flute and piano. She is a professor and a PhD student in EAMT (Prof. Mari Tampere-Bezrodny) and a II concert master of the Symphony Orchestra of the Estonian National Opera.
has obtained her master’s degree in Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (Prof. Mari Tampere-Bezrodny, 2004) and furthered her skills with Prof. Igor Bezrodny, Eduard Schmieder, Pavel Vernikov and Hermann Krebbers. In addition, she has studied in Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg (2001-2002, Prof. Hermann Krebbers). K. Kriit has taken part of several international competitions, from which the most important are Heino Eller Competition in Tallinn (special prize, 1996) and Henryk Wieniawski Competition in Poland (Lublin, 1997). K. Kriit is a valued contemporary musician and she has performed as a soloist and a chamber musician in almost every country of Europe and Scandinavia. She has twice been a scholar of the reputed Holland Music Sessions. In 2005 K. Kriit was one of the founders of Tallinn String Trio and in 2009 trio “Madrigal” with flute and piano. She is a professor and a PhD student in EAMT (Prof. Mari Tampere-Bezrodny) and a II concert master of the Symphony Orchestra of the Estonian National Opera.
JOHANNA VAHERMÄGI
began her musical studies at the age of 6 at the Tallinn Music High School, graduated in 2007 with honours. She has been a student of prof. Viljar Kuusk at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, prof. Avri Levitan at the International Centre for Excellence for Strings (Spain) and received her BA in music in 2013 from the Aragon Higher Conservatory of Music (Spain) with prof. Avri Levitan. She was the recipient of the 1st prize at the 3rd International Competition for Soloists “Illa de Menorca FIDAH” (2011) and also at the 2014 chamber music competition of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance. She has performed as a soloist with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, European Youth Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance, Tallinn Music High School Symphony Orchestra, etc. She has participated in the master classes of Tabea Zimmermann, Haim Taub, Nicolas Chumachenko, Amihai Grosz, Gilad Karni, Mikhail Zemtsov, etc. She has been invited to perform at many international chamber music festivals such as the Berlin Music Festival (Germany), Voice of Music festival (Israel), Ravello Festival (Italy), Festival della Valle d’Itria (Italy), Järvi Music Festival (Estonia) etc, and has performed chamber music with partners such as Guy Braunstein, Amihai Grosz, Nicolas Chumachenko, Avri Levitan, Roi Shiloah, Alexander Pavlovsky, Zvi Plesser, Ohad Ben Ari, etc. In addition she has collaborated with various chamber orchestras (Reina Sofia Chamber Orchestra, Tallinn Sinfonietta, etc) and with the international contemporary music ensemble “Ensemble Plural” (cond. Fabian Panisello), with whom she has recorded a CD for Radio Bremen (Germany). At present she is collaborating freelance with the Barcelona Liceu Opera Theatre Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra and is obtaining her MA degree at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance with prof. Roi Shiloah.
ANDREAS LEND
is one of his generations most distinguished cellists in Estonia. He started his music studies in Tallinn Music High School, aquired a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Estonian Academy of Music and Theater and furthered his skills in Finland Sibelius Academy. In addition, he has taken part of many internationally acknowledged cellist’s master classes (F. Helmerson, D. Geringas, M. Ostertag etc.). A. Lend has gotten awards at many competitions, including I Prize and Grand Prix at the International Competition-Festival “Renaissance” (Armenia, 2013), I Prize at the ES-TA Estonian nationwide Violinists’ and Cellists’ Competition (2004) etc. In 2007 A. Lend was chosen to be a part of the European Union Youth Orchestra which he has performed with across Europe. As a soloist and an ensemble partner he has performed in numerous foreign countries in-cluding Denmark, Germany, Italy etc. and he has been invited to Tallinn Chamber Music Festival, Kuopio Historical Keyboards Festival in Finland, Valle d’Itria Festival in Italy etc. During the last few years he cooperated with many string quartets and orchestras and at the moment he is active in National Opera Estonia Symphony Orchestra, string quartet Prezioso and Estonian Cello Ensemble and he is also active as a chamber musician in several other compositions.
is one of his generations most distinguished cellists in Estonia. He started his music studies in Tallinn Music High School, aquired a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Estonian Academy of Music and Theater and furthered his skills in Finland Sibelius Academy. In addition, he has taken part of many internationally acknowledged cellist’s master classes (F. Helmerson, D. Geringas, M. Ostertag etc.). A. Lend has gotten awards at many competitions, including I Prize and Grand Prix at the International Competition-Festival “Renaissance” (Armenia, 2013), I Prize at the ES-TA Estonian nationwide Violinists’ and Cellists’ Competition (2004) etc. In 2007 A. Lend was chosen to be a part of the European Union Youth Orchestra which he has performed with across Europe. As a soloist and an ensemble partner he has performed in numerous foreign countries in-cluding Denmark, Germany, Italy etc. and he has been invited to Tallinn Chamber Music Festival, Kuopio Historical Keyboards Festival in Finland, Valle d’Itria Festival in Italy etc. During the last few years he cooperated with many string quartets and orchestras and at the moment he is active in National Opera Estonia Symphony Orchestra, string quartet Prezioso and Estonian Cello Ensemble and he is also active as a chamber musician in several other compositions.
VLADIMIR RESHETKO
has studied in St. Petersburg and he continued his education in Amsterdam and Berlin. V. Reshetko has been the prizewinner of International Heran Cello Competition (1999). He has been awarded 1st prize and special prize for the best interpretation of a work by F. Schubert in International Chamber Music Competition “Franz Schubert and the Modern Music” (2009), 1st prize in C. Hennen Chamber Music Competition (2009) and 1st prize in Pergamenschikow Prize for Chamber Music (2011). He is a co-founder and a member of Anima Quartet. In the recent seasons, he premiered Ana Sokolovic’s “Commedia dell’arte III” dedicated to Anima Quartet. All 3 parts were released by SWR Alassic Archive in 2016. In September 2017 V. Reshetko became a concert master of the cello group of Vaasa City Orchestra. He has toured across many countries and performed alongside eminent musicians. He has performed as a soloist with conductors Vasily Petrenko and Ravil Martynov in front of the St. Petersburg State Academic Orchestra. V. Reshetko has formed a wide solo, chamber and an orchestra repertoire, including works of contemporary, classical and baroque styles.
His recent solo debut in Finland and premiere of A. Kraft’s Cello Concerto was highly appreciated:
“Vladimir Reshetko gave a powerfully moving musical performance. His deeply felt phrasing, the rich and lyrical timbre of the cello, as well as his masterful virtuosity delivered a fresh performance in Kraft’s Cello Concerto. The audience thanked the soloist with enthusiastic ovations.” – Pohjalainen 30.03.2019, Vaasa
has studied in St. Petersburg and he continued his education in Amsterdam and Berlin. V. Reshetko has been the prizewinner of International Heran Cello Competition (1999). He has been awarded 1st prize and special prize for the best interpretation of a work by F. Schubert in International Chamber Music Competition “Franz Schubert and the Modern Music” (2009), 1st prize in C. Hennen Chamber Music Competition (2009) and 1st prize in Pergamenschikow Prize for Chamber Music (2011). He is a co-founder and a member of Anima Quartet. In the recent seasons, he premiered Ana Sokolovic’s “Commedia dell’arte III” dedicated to Anima Quartet. All 3 parts were released by SWR Alassic Archive in 2016. In September 2017 V. Reshetko became a concert master of the cello group of Vaasa City Orchestra. He has toured across many countries and performed alongside eminent musicians. He has performed as a soloist with conductors Vasily Petrenko and Ravil Martynov in front of the St. Petersburg State Academic Orchestra. V. Reshetko has formed a wide solo, chamber and an orchestra repertoire, including works of contemporary, classical and baroque styles.
His recent solo debut in Finland and premiere of A. Kraft’s Cello Concerto was highly appreciated:
“Vladimir Reshetko gave a powerfully moving musical performance. His deeply felt phrasing, the rich and lyrical timbre of the cello, as well as his masterful virtuosity delivered a fresh performance in Kraft’s Cello Concerto. The audience thanked the soloist with enthusiastic ovations.” – Pohjalainen 30.03.2019, Vaasa
JAAK LUTSOJA
has graduated as an accordionist from Tallinn Lilleküla High School music class and from the Georg Ots Tallinn Music School. He has been active as a freelance musician since 1997 and has for many years also taught at Saue Music School, at the Heino Eller Tartu Music School and at the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy. He has performed as a soloist and as a member of several prominent ensembles. In addition to performing all over Europe, Jaak Lutsoja has performed in the United States and Russia with a very wide repertoire from a variety of genres expanding from pop-jazz to classical and contemporary music. Jaak Lutsoja has performed together with musicians such as Kersti Ala-Murr, Leho Karin, Tõnu Jõesaar, Oleg Pissarenko, Erkki Otsman, Siiri Sisask, Silvi Vrait, Tõnis Mägi, Jaak Jürisson, Hedvig Hanson, Ardo Ran Varres, and also with the chamber choir Revalia, an accordion trio comprised of himself, Henn Rebane and Allan Jakobi, ensembles Noorkuu, Karavan etc. Jaak Lutsoja has performed at many international music festivals and concert projects (Saksofon versus Saksofon, 2008 Kumu) and opera productions (Tõnis Kaumann/Leelo Tungal Lopi ja Lapi, 2008 Türi Spring Festival; Mari Vihmand Armastuse valem, 2008 Estonian National Opera; W. A. Mozart The Magic Flute, Nukuteater; dance production Carrrmen, 2012 Vanemuine Theatre). Jaak Lutsoja was the headliner at the festival Visioon 2010 with a programme of his own compositions. The same year his first solo recording Contrarian Grooving was published, comprising entirely of original creations. The album has been nominated as the European Jazz Radio Album of the Week twice. In cooperation with the soprano Kersti Ala-Murr and the New Music Quartet he has also published an album Vaikimine oleks vale (2010) and together with the Jaak Lutsoja Quintet the album Adiós Nonino (2013). In 2013 Jaak Lutsoja established the Accordion Club which was created for furthering the possibilities of playing the accordion.
