Toomas Vana

b. April 28, 1970

Toomas Vana graduated from Tallinn Music High School under the guidance of Maigi Pakri (1988), where he also studied composition with René Eespere. In 1988–1991 Toomas Vana studied at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre under the guidance of Bruno Lukk and continued in 1991–1998 at the University of Music Karlsruhe (Hochschule für Music) under the guidance of Kalle Randalu. He has also studied shortly double bass under the guidance of Toivo Unt and composition with Lepo Sumera.

Toomas Vana has performed since 1989 as a solo pianist in the Baltic States, Brasil, Sweden, Germany, Scandinavia, Finland, Ukraine, Russia, etc. His repertoire comprises 19. century romantic music including works by Robert Schumann, Johannes Brahms and Ferenc Liszt, also Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's and Ludwig van Beethoven's and contemporary music. Longtime collaboration engages Toomas Vana with pianist Natalja Zagalskaja. Toomas Vana has performed in front of several orchestras including also Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (conductor Nikolai Aleksejev). Critics value his spontaneity, clarity of conception and sonorous versatility. Music played by Toomas Vana may be found on CD by Robert Schumann’s, Clara Wieck Schumann’s and Johannes Brahms’ works (Antes, 1997) and on CD „Tastenfieber, Das Klavier“ (Kreuz Verlag, 2001).

Since 1991 Toomas Vana lives in Germany, where he is a freelance musician, often performing as a soloist and chamber musician. He is  docent at University of Music Karlsruhe and Badisches Konservatorium. Toomas Vana also acts as a producer and sound engineer.

Recognitions:
1988 – I prize at Estonian National Piano Competition in Tallinn
1992 – II prize at International Johannes Brahms Competition in Hamburg
1998 – I prize at Estonian Republic Piano Competition in Tallinn
1999 – IV prize at Vianna da Motta International Music Competition in Aomen
2002 – II prize at intenrational piano competition „Cittá di Marsala“ in Italy
2003 – I prize at Valsesia Musica Internatonal Competition in Italy

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