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President Ilves to pianist Mihkel Poll: you make Estonia bigger and known better
05.07.2013
Today, at the Office of the President, the President, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, presented the Young Cultural Figure Award of the Cultural Foundation of the President of the Republic to pianist Mihkel Poll, who has given a remarkable contribution to introducing the Republic of Estonia and its culture in the world.
"Good musician is made into a magnificent musician by his personality and creative abilities and, of course, consistent work and the courage to do something hard and unknown, always keep trying to do something new," told President upon presenting the award and added that Mihkel Poll has all these characteristics.
"This makes people to listen to your creations and understand music, enchanting the audience from Tudulinna Basic School in Virumaa to Wigmore Hall in London. You will help us to make Estonian music audible and well-known all over the world. By doing this you also make Estonia bigger and known better," told the Head of State.
President Ilves thanked the members of the Council of the Cultural Board and the funder of the award, Indrek Neivelt. Young Cultural Figure's Award is 5,000 euros.
According to Mihkel Poll, the award will be an inspiration for him in his future creative work, which is stressful and full of tension but all this will fall back, overcome by the joy that music brings. "Art is the most direct road to the target for people that search for spiritual values," stated Poll.
The laureate of the award thanked his teachers and family for the support and understanding and the President and members of the Council of the Cultural Board for the recognition.
Mihkel Poll was presented as a candidate for the award by the Estonian Association of Interprets (Chairman of Board Henry-David Varema) and Juko-Mart Kõlar, recommendations were given by Anu Tali and Erkki-Sven Tüür.
Mihkel Poll is this reason's residing artist of ERSO and has given outstanding concerts to introduce Estonian music and composers. Mihkel Poll has co-operated in the season of 2012/2013 with a number of orchestras (Norrbotten Chamber Orchestra, Birmingham SSO) and conductors (Olari Elts, Neeme Järvi, Anu Tali, Arvo Volmer) and has given numerous solo concerts in both Estonia and abroad. In addition, he also gives free lecture-concerts in Estonian schools, introducing classical music and the life of an interpret of international scale to gymnasium students.
The repertoire of Mihkel Poll covers a very large number of genres and eras, extending to both large forms and miniatures and masterpieces from Bach to Liget. Mihkel Poll also often makes music with chamber ensembles with most outstanding instrumentalist and singers of Estonia, including his sister, Mari Poll.
Mihkel Poll has performed in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Germany, Belgium the Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and the USA. He has given concerts with ERSO, Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Nordic Symphonic Orchestra, Magdeburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Norrbotten Chamber Orchestra, Symphonic Orchestra of Vanemuine, Sinfonia of Birmingham, Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra, Pärnu City Orchestra and EMTA Symphonic Orchestra. Last season, Mihkel Poll gave a successful concert your with the Nordic Symphonic Orchestra, conducted by Anu Tali.
After winning the reputable Guildhall Wigmore Recital Prize in October 2011, Mihkel made his debut last June in the world-famous Wigmore Hall. In 2009, Mihkel launched his debut CD with 20th century piano pieces under reputable Finnish recording company, Ondine. The record includes some pieces from the creative work of Ravel, Shostakovich, Mossolov, Liget and Tulve.
Mihkel Poll was born in 1986 in Tallinn, started his piano classes at the age of 6 at Nõmme Music School and continued at Tallinn Secondary Music School. At the moment, he studies at Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.
Additional information about the Young Cultural Figure's Award and previous laureates is available at: www.president.ee
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