Created by South African violist and conductor Xandi van Dijk, the new ensemble will perform its inaugural concert on 6 October
The Viimsi Sinfonietta is a new string orchestra, established by South African violist and conductor Xandi van Dijk, which will make its home at the Viimsi Artium in Lubja, Estonia.
Estonian violinist Triin Ruubel has been appointed as the concertmaster of the new ensemble, with violinist Triin Veissmann as co-concertmaster and the following players announced as its string principals: violinist Egert Leinsaar, violists Liina Žigurs and Johanna Vahermägi, cellist Theodore Sink, and double bassist Regina Udod. As part of its scheme, the orchestra prides itself on working with promising music students alongside top Estonian players.
In addition to his role as artistic director and chief conductor of the Viimsi Sinfonietta, Van Dijk is also the violist of the Signum Quartet.
‘A quartet is quite a democratic way of making music for me,’ said Van Dijk in an interview with Estonian National Broadcasting. ‘In the case of the Viimsi Sinfonietta, I am the conductor, but in contrast to more hierarchical orchestras, there is some space for the players to have a say. Their contribution is felt.’
The orchestra will give its inaugural performance at the Viimsi Artium on 6 October, playing Dvořák’s String Serenade and Max Richter’s Four Seasons, with Ruubel as its soloist.
Read: Masterclass: Xandi van Dijk on Schubert String Quartet in G major, first movement
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