Ralf Taal – pianist
From his earliest public performances, pianist Ralf Taal has captivated audiences with his colorful and refined sound. Taal’s sonic explorations span from powerful drama and resonant depth to ethereal utopian realms. Alongside Mati Mikalai and Marko Martin, he represents the new generation of Estonian pianists that made a significant impact in the 1990s, swiftly establishing themselves as leaders in the field. In 1992, Taal gave his inaugural recital, followed by victories in the All-Estonian competition dedicated to Grieg’s 150th anniversary in 1993 and the Estonian pianists’ and young musicians’ competition Con brio in 1994. In 1995, he received the Special Prize for the youngest finalist at the Schubert International Competition in Dortmund.
Ralf Taal graduated from the class of Maigi Pakri and Prof Bruno Lukk at the Tallinn Music High School in 1992. His studies continued at the Estonian Academy of Music with Lauri Väinmaa and Prof Peep Lassmann, completing his degree in 1997, with Prof Lassmann also supervising his post-graduate studies. Taal has enriched his musical education through master classes led by renowned pianists such as Kalle Randalu, Arbo Valdmaa, Boris Berman, and others.
In the 1990s, Taal initiated his active and diverse concert career, performing both as a soloist and in ensembles domestically and internationally. He collaborated with esteemed conductors like Paavo Järvi, Olari Elts, Eri Klas, and others, expanding his repertoire to include over 20 piano concertos. Renowned vocalists and instrumentalists appreciate him as an ensemble partner. In 2011, he was honored with the Annual Prize of the Estonian Culture Endowment. Taal holds the position of a long-time pianist-répétiteur at the Estonian National Opera and serves as a teacher at the Estonian Academy of Music and Tallinn Georg Ots Music School.
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Ralf Taal – Frédéric Chopin 12 etüüdi op. 25
MEDIA
Audio CD – Chopin – Magic of Sound – Ralf Taal
REPERTOIRE
Works for piano and orchestra
Ludvig van Beethoven. Piano Concertos Nos 1, 3, 4 and 5
Frédéric Chopin. Piano Concerto No 1 in E minor, Op 11
Frédéric Chopin. Chopin – Variations on “Là ci darem la mano″, Op 2
Ferenc Liszt. Piano Concerto No 1 in E-flat major
Johannes Brahms. Piano Concerto Nos 1 and 2
Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Piano Concerto No 1 in B-flat minor, Op 23
Edvard Grieg. Piano Concerto in A minor, Op 16
Sergei Rachmaninoff. Piano Concerto No 3 in D minor, Op 30
Sergei Rachmaninoff. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op 43
Maurice Ravel. Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D major
Sergei Prokofiev. Piano Concerto No 4 in B-flat major for the Left Hand
Works for piano solo
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Sonata in C major, K 330
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Sonata in B major, K 333
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Sonata in D major, K 576
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Fantasy in C minor, K 475
Joseph Haydn. Sonata in E-flat major, HobXVI:52
Ludvig van Beethoven. Sonatas Nos 2, 3, 7, 8, 14, 15, 23, 26, 27, 28, 30 and 31
Franz Schubert. Sonata in G major, D 894
Franz Schubert. Sonata in A major, D 959
Franz Schubert. Sonata in B major, D 894
Franz Schubert. Sonata in B major, D 960
Franz Schubert. Wanderer-Fantasie, D 760
Franz Schubert. Impromtus Op 90 and Op 142
Frédéric Chopin. Études Op 10 and Op 25
Frédéric Chopin. Preludes, Op 28
Frédéric Chopin. Ballade No 3 in A-flat major, Op 47
Frédéric Chopin. Ballade No 4 in F minor, Op 52
Frédéric Chopin. Polonaise in A-flat major, Op 53
Frédéric Chopin. Scherzo No 2 in B-flat minor, Op 31
Ferenc Liszt. Transcendental Études
Ferenc Liszt. Sonata in B minor
Ferenc Liszt. Ballade No 2 in B minor
Ferenc Liszt. Mephisto Waltz No 1
Ferenc Liszt. Réminiscences de Don Juan
Ferenc Liszt. Paraphrase on Verdi’s Rigoletto
Robert Schumann/Ferenc Liszt. Widmung
Robert Schumann. Symphonic Etudes, Op 13
Robert Schumann. Waldszenen, Op 82
Johannes Brahms. Variations on a Theme by Paganini, Op 35
Claude Debussy. Images
Maurice Ravel. Gaspard de la nuit
Sergei Rachmaninoff. Preludes
Alexander Scriabin. Sonata No 5
Alexander Scriabin. 3 Etudes, Op 65
Sergei Prokofiev. Sonata No 3
Sergei Prokofiev. 10 Pieces from the ballet “Romeo and Juliet″
Mart Saar. Preludes
Eduard Tubin. Preludes
Arvo Pärt. Sonatina No 1, Op 1
Ester Mägi. The Ancient Kannel
Rene Eespere. Ludus tactus
Lepo Sumera. Ostinato-Variations
Lepo Sumera. Piece from the Year 1981