Rolf Uusväli

Rolf Uusväli
15.09.1930 Tallinn – 11.06.2005 Tallinn

Rolf Uusväli begun music studies by himself and received his first private piano and organ lessons under the guidance of Hildegard Linno. As soviet occupation denied religion, he was forced to quit studies from Gustav Adolf Gymnasium and continued since 1945 private organ studies under the guidance of Hugo Lepnurm, lessons took place mainly at Bethel Church in Tallinn. In 1948 Rolf Uusväli was sent by Tallinn City Executive Committee to the industrial estate in Kohtla-Järve and pereginated in fear of deportation in Läänemaa, Tõrva and Valga.

In 1952 Rolf Uusväli returned to Tallinn, where he was 1959–1973 editor of music programs in Estonian Radio. At the same time Uusväli begun his career as an organist and gave his first concert in 1954. During his lifetime, Uusväli gave over 1000 concerts including repeatedly at the grand hall of the Moscow State Conservatoire  (first concert at Estonian Concert Hall took place in 1959). Rolf Uusväli was renowned interpret of Johann Sebastian Bach’s music and first performer of the works by Oliver Messiaen and Francis Poulenc in the citys of further Soviet Union. As a one of the most awaited and leading organist in Easter-Europe, Uusväli gave recitals in Germany, Sweden and Finland and collaborated with many Estonian musicians and choirs including Estonian National Male Choir. In addition Uusväli has worked as an organist at Estonian congregations in Valga and Tallinn including Bethel Church, St. John's Church and Church of the Holy Spirit. Rolf Uusväli was an active musician until the end of his life giving his last recital on 15th of May in 2005.

Rolf Uusväli was interested in building new organs and also in restoration and tuning of organs. In 1973–1988 Uusväli worked as a consultant at organ restauration shop-floor in Lithuania, in 1974–1985 at Estonian Concert (further ESSR Philharmonic). In 1985–1992 Uusväli was organ tuner at organ shop-floor in Rakvere.

Rolf Uusväli gave private organ lessons mainly at churches in Suure-Jaani and Räpina and was also pedagogue at Institute of Theology of Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church (1991–1999), Georg Ots Tallinn Music School (1993–1995) and Estonian Academy of Music (1995–2002). His students include among others Aaro Tetsmann, Merike Saaremets, Hille Poroson, Jaanus Torrim ect.

Rolf Uusväli has made recordings for Estonian Public Broadcast and has released over 40 LP, mainly in serie „Estonian organs“. In addition 3 restaurated CD-s has been with performances by Rolf Uusväli: „J.S.Bach. Orelimissa. Rolf Uusväli“ (2009), „Felix Mendelsson-Bartholdy. 6 Orgelsonaten op 65“ (2008), „J. S. Bach. Orelimissa. Rolf Uusväli“(2007). Rolf Uusväli has awarded with The Estonian National Culture Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000 and Order of the White Star, 4th class in 2001.

© EMIC 2013

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).