An Evening of Italian Music

Hüüru Manor, decorated for Christmas, offers a musical journey through beautiful Italy this evening. You’ll hear music from different eras and by different composers, along with stories about the works being performed. This music is beautiful and melodic, at times bright and sparkling, at times a little nostalgic. But it should leave no one cold, since Italy itself is so warm and sunny! To make the Italian experience even more complete, paintings inspired by Italy by Lootuse maalistuudio will also be on display at Hüüru Manor. At the piano, you’ll hear both solo works and music for piano four hands, from sparkling classics to captivating opera melodies.

Ralf Taal graduated in piano from the Tallinn Music High School, where he studied with Maigi Pakri, and from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, where he studied with Peep Lassmann. He has won the national piano competition, the young performers’ competition-festival “Con Brio,” and a piano competition dedicated to the 150th anniversary of Edvard Grieg’s birth. He has given solo and chamber concerts in Estonia and abroad, and has participated successfully in international competitions. Ralf Taal has been a scholarship recipient of Eesti Kontsert and received the annual award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Endowment for the Arts. He has worked with conductors including Eri Klas, Paavo Järvi, Olari Elts, Arvo Volmer and Tõnu Kaljuste. Ralf Taal has been a valued ensemble partner to many vocal and instrumental soloists, including Ain Anger, Helen Lokuta, Monika-Evelin Liiv and Andrus Haav. In 2014, he released a solo album of Chopin’s piano music, “Magic of Sound.”

Kai Taal graduated from the Tallinn Music High School in piano (with R. Vanaselja and L. Orgse) and music theory (with T. Siitan), and also graduated in piano from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (with L. Väinmaa). She has worked as a Lied pianist and choir accompanist, and received the award for best accompanist at the 2nd Tiit Kuusik Singing Competition. As a music journalist, Kai Taal has contributed to the newspapers “Sirp,” “Eesti Päevaleht” and “Postimees,” and the magazines “Muusika” and “Teater.Muusika.Kino.” She has worked at the Tallinn Music High School and currently teaches piano and ensemble at the Tallinn Music and Ballet School MUBA, as well as piano at Rocca al Mare Music School. Since 2021, she has performed concerts with Ralf Taal in which music and spoken word are interwoven, appearing in chamber halls and schools.