Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
Over its long history, the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra has nurtured the careers of internationally prominent Estonian musicians and has championed the music of Estonian composers. The group has a large recording catalog, much of which was issued by labels outside Estonia.
The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (in Estonian: Eesti Riiklik Sümfooniaorkester or ERSO) has been in existence since 1926 and is the longest-continuously operating symphony orchestra in Estonia. In its first years, it was associated with national radio broadcasting in Estonia, and for much of its career, through successive periods of occupation by Germany and the Soviet Union, the orchestra was designated a radio (or radio and television) ensemble. The orchestra's home, the Blue Hall of Estonia, was destroyed by bombs in 1944. The Estonian National Symphony Orchestra name was adopted after Estonia's independence was restored in 1991. Chief conductors have included Olav Roots (1939-1944), Paul Karp (1944-1950), Roman Matsov (1950-1963), Neeme Järvi (1963-1979), Peeter Lilje (1980-1990), Leo Krämer (1991-1993), Arvo Volmer (1993-2001), and Nikolai Alexeev (2001-2010). Neeme Järvi returned to the podium in 2010, and he was succeeded in 2020 by Olari Elts. An early recording, issued in 2000 on the Antes label, was devoted to the music of composer Eino Tamberg, and the group has recorded works by many 20th century and contemporary Estonian composers.
The international significance of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra is demonstrated by its record of frequent international touring, including trips to Italy (2003), the U.S. (2009, 2013, 2018), and China (2016), as well as frequent concerts in Scandinavia and continental Europe. The group has championed Estonian music by Arvo Pärt, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Eduard Tubin, Eino Tamberg, Jaan Rääts, Lepo Sumera, Tõnu Kõrvits, and Helena Tulve, often bringing it to international audiences for the first time. The orchestra has recorded for a large variety of labels, including Apex, Virgin, and (in 2009, featuring Pärt's In Principio) the boutique audiophile imprint ECM, among many others. It established its own Estonian Record Productions label in 2016, releasing an album of music by Beethoven and Brahms under Järvi, featuring pianist Kalle Randalu.
The year 2017 saw four Estonian National Symphony recordings, including an album of orchestral music by Leo Weiner on Chandos. For 2018, the orchestra offered a busy schedule of performances commemorating the centenary of the Republic of Estonia, including performances of an Estonian oratorio, Jonah's Mission, by Rudolf Tobias. The group remained active through the COVID-19 pandemic, issuing several albums on Chandos in the early 2020s. These included a collection of lesser-known works by Lalo that appeared in 2024; by then, the group's recording catalog comprised well over 35 releases.
© James Manheim /TiVo
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Tubin: Complete Symphonies, Vol. 5 (Nos. 9, 10, 11)
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Arvo Volmer
Classical - Released by Alba on Jan 1, 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Orchestral Music
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Ada Kuuseoks, Mati Mikalai, Arvo Volmer, Tarmo Pajusaar, Mihkel Kütson
Classical - Released by Toccata Classics on Jan 1, 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tubin: Complete Symphonies, Vol. 4 (Nos. 8 and 1) (Estonian National Symphony Orchestra)
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Arvo Volmer
Classical - Released by Alba on Jan 1, 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Symphonie n°3
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Tallinn Ensemble, Mikk Murdvee, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
Classical - Released by Toccata Classics on May 28, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Russian Violin Concertos
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Mark Lubotsky
Classical - Released by Globe on Jan 1, 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 22 in E-Flat Major, K. 482 - Strauss: Le bourgeois gentilhomme, Op. 60, TrV 228c (Live)
Kalle Randalu, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Classical - Released by Estonian Record Productions on Aug 9, 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven & Strauss: Orchestral Works
Kalle Randalu, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Classical - Released by Estonian Record Productions on Sep 30, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Great Maestros, Vol. 6: Neeme Järvi (Live)
Kalle Randalu, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Classical - Released by Estonian Record Productions on Nov 17, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
La donna è mobile: Famous Tenor Arias by Verdi
Luc Robert, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Estonian National Opera Chorus, Risto Joost
Opera - Released by Estonian Record Productions on Aug 18, 2017
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Suchoň: Symfonietta Rustica, Baladická suita & Metamorfózy
Neeme Järvi, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
Symphonies - Released by Chandos on Apr 1, 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sumera: Symphony No. 6 / Cello Concerto / Musica Profana
David GerIngas, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Paavo Järvi
Classical - Released by BIS on May 1, 2003
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Great Maestros XX. Scroll over Beethoven
Neeme Järvi, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
Classical - Released by Estonian Record Productions on Feb 6, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Harmonies of Time & Timbre
Ensemble U, Erik Drescher, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Gérard Pape, Risto Joost, CLSI String Ensemble
Chamber Music - Released by Mode Records on Jul 24, 2015
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Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 - Brahms: Symphony No 4
Kalle Randalu, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Classical - Released by Estonian Record Productions on Sep 30, 2016
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Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58 - Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73 (Live)
Kalle Randalu, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Classical - Released by Estonian Record Productions on May 19, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37 - Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 68 (Live)
Kalle Randalu, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Neeme Järvi
Classical - Released by Estonian Record Productions on Apr 21, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo