Erki Meister

b. January 22, 1967, Haapsalu
Member of the Estonian Composers' Union since 2010

Artist, musician and composer Erki Meister’s oeuvre with numerous works is formed mainly by music for mixed choir – a cappella songs, songs with different instruments and large-scale choral works with symphony orchestra. Also his only symphony includes vocal part for mixed choir. He has also composed choral songs for female choir, male choir and children’s choir. In addition, vocal chamber music, one piece for instrumental ensemble and chamber orchestra and multiple popular songs can be found among his works.

Erki Meister studied at Tallinn 49th Secondary School and graduated from Tallinn Pedagogical University in choral conducting and cultural management in 1991 and Estonian Academy of Arts in painting with Jaak Arro, Tiit Pääsuke and Lauri Sillak in 2003. He is a freelance musician and artist, writes texts for songs and has published three short story collections.

In 1991–1995, Erki Meister hosted the programs at Kuku radio and worked as the singer in Estonian National Male Choir. In 1995–1997, he held the post of manager-director of the Estonian National Male Choir and 1994–1999, chorus master of Estonian National Opera Boys’ Choir. Meister has been the chief conductor of several choirs (Old Town Mixed Choir, Baltika Female Choir, Chamber Choir of Ministry of Finance). At present time, he acts as the chief conductor of Flora Chamber Choir and Kalev Chamber Choir with whom he has won several prizes at choral competitions both in Estonia and abroad. Additionally, he is a member and leader of ensembles Halo, Päikesejänkud (Sunny Bunnies), Chacha Roots, Reede13, Primitivistid, vocal ensemble Miinus Seitse.

In his choral music, Erki Meister has used texts by Artur Alliksaar, Ilmar Laaban, Ilmar Trull, Uku Masing, Viivi Luik and other Estonian poets, including texts written by composer himself. His choral works have been premiered mainly by Kalev Chamber Choir, some of them have been in the repertoire of the 11th Estonian Youth Song Celebration and Võru song festival Our Party. His choral songs have won prizes at composition competitions: 1st prize for Libera me, Domine and 2nd prize for Everlasting Voices at the competition organised by Association of Estonian Mixed Choirs (1998), two 2nd prizes for songs Liberation and About Myself and Estonia at the competition I Love You, Estonia!. Several his songs have reached on CD-s.

Erki Meister’s works have been published by SP Muusikaprojekt and Augsburg Fortress.

As an artist, Erki Meister’s works have been held both in several personal and group exhibitions.

Erki Meister has received Anne Vabarna Cultural Award for Seto Symphony Peko (2010).

Look also: Erki Meister

© EMIC 2011

The texts on the EMIC's homepage are protected by the copyright law. They can be used for non-commercial purposes referring to the author (when specified) and source (Estonian Music Information Centre).