The guys at Quite Great love doing promotion and PR for classical musicians. We have worked with hugely talented classical artists, composers, and musical innovators – from Brian Eno and Michael Nyman to Jean Michel Jarre and Pavarotti.
In terms of redefining the parameters of classical music and changing the public’s views and perceptions of traditional musical thinking, no-one comes close to Kristjan Järvi. We were thrilled when we were chosen by Kristjan to help with his release of Wagner’s The Ring, his Duets project with Steve Reich, as well as his tour.
With a timely nod to the Rio Olympics, this is a wonderful story about music and sport coming together. Check out the release and spread the word as Kristjan is a true innovator within the music world.
Estonian Olympic Committee appoint classical music innovator to inspire a new generation of sportsmen and women
The Estonian Olympic Committee have created history by appointing the first non-sports person to hold a senior position as a standing member, with the announcement that the innovative classical composer Kristjan Järvi will be using music to help inspire Estonian sporting success in the future.
Kristjan is already a major force across the Baltic states through his work in creating ‘Sound Estonia’. Now, he is looking at ways to bring all types of music together – from classical to hip hop – in order to encourage people of all ages to get involved in sport and hopefully bring Olympic success to Estonia for years to come.
“It is an honour,” explains Kristjan, “to be part of the Olympic movement in some small way and to be the first non-sports person to become a standing member of the national committee. Music is an inspirational force. It helps people to fulfil their potential, and in sport, this is vital. Every sportsman and woman tends to use music in some way to inspire, whether it is in the gym or prior to them starting a race. It’s a natural next step to see how this can be expanded upon and how we can scientifically draw in the power of music through training regimes and add to the mental side of sports too.”
It is not widely understood how much training and fitness are involved in becoming a renowned member of a leading orchestra, although both are fundamental components of success. Kristjan Järvi not only understands the physical side, but also the spiritual side, which again can play a vital role in an athlete’s success. Bringing the two together could be an inspiring move by the Estonian Olympic Committee. Perhaps, in years to come, we may be seeing more and more Estonian athletes bringing home gold medals thanks in part to Kristjan’s groundbreaking ideas – not to mention hours and hours of hard work on the part of the athletes.
Kristjan Järvi has “earned a reputation as one of the canniest, and most innovative, programmers on the classical scene.” [Reuters]
Curating and conducting his original, genre-fusing projects with individual approach and style, his concerts have been proclaimed a “life-enhancing experience.” [Herald Scotland]
He realises his pioneering ideas with his four ensembles: as Music Director of the MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Gstaad Festival Orchestra; as Founder-Conductor of his New York-based classical-hip-hop-jazz group, Absolute Ensemble; and as Founder and Music Director of the Baltic Sea Philharmonic, the cornerstone of the Baltic Sea Music Education System. An entrepreneur by nature and a passionate educator, Kristjan Järvi leads both the oldest Radio Orchestra in Europe and the newest young musician Orchestra.
Ongoing guest conducting engagements include: London Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de France, Orchestre de Paris, Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia Rome, National Symphony Orchestra (Washington D.C), the Minnesota Orchestra and NHK Symphony Japan. In 2012, he also made his debut with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
As a recording artist, Järvi has more than 60 albums to his credit, from Hollywood soundtracks such as Cloud Atlas and award-winning albums on Sony and Chandos, to his eponymous series the ‘Kristjan Järvi Sound Project.’ Launched in 2014, the series features projects across all of Järvi’s ensembles and is characterised by the conductor’s unmistakable approach in taking a fresh look at the old, with concepts and presentation that transcend the borders and boundaries of music.
Järvi continues to work with some of today’s brightest minds, from film directors Tom Tykwer and the Wachowskis, to composers and artists Arvo Pärt, Steve Reich, Tan Dun, Hauschka, Dhafer Youssef, Anoushka Shankar and Esa-Pekka Salonen (with whom he started his career as Assistant Conductor at the Los Angeles Philharmonic).
Born in Estonia, Kristjan Järvi emigrated to the United States as a child and grew up in New York City. He is an accomplished pianist and graduated from Manhattan School of Music followed by conducting studies at the University of Michigan.
[Photo of Kristjan courtesy of Peter Adamik]