Risto Joost Conductor General Management

Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of Theatre Vanemuine Tartu

Chief Conductor Designate Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn (from 2024/25)

Estonian conductor Risto Joost excels by his specialized versatility and has gained widespread recognition for his work both in the opera pit and on concert stage. The trained singer and Conductor in Residence of the Estonian National Opera has already held major artistic positions, such as Chief Conductor of the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and Artistic Director of the MDR Leipzig Radio Choir from 2015 to 2019. He succeeded at important competitions and conducted some of the world’s most distinguished orchestras.

From 2024/25 Risto Joost will be Chief Conductor of Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn further to his thriving partnership since several years. Since 2020/21 Joost is Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of Theatre Vanemuine Tartu.

Risto Joost is in demand as a guest conductor with orchestras such as Helsinki Philharmonic, Bergen Philharmonic, Norwegian Opera Orchestra, Tampere Philharmonic, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Lahti Sinfonia,

Trondheim Symphony, Netherlands Philharmonic, Noord Nederlands Orkest, Bavarian State Orchestra, Dortmund Philharmonic, Gulbenkian Orchestra & Choir, Prague Radio Symphony, Brno Philharmonic, Janacek Philharmonic, Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, Flanders Symphony, Philharmonie Zuidnederland, Noord Nederlands Orkest, Orchester Orchestra Teatro la Fenice, Slovenian Philharmonic, Latvian National Symphony, Liepaja Symphony, Estonian National Symphony among others.In addition he collaborated with the RIAS Kammerchor, SWR Vokalensemble, Rundfunkchor Berlin, Swedish Radio Choir, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir to name a few.

Forthcoming highlights are his debut with Antwerp Symphony and return visits to Gulbenkian Orchestra, Noord Nederlands Orkest, Bergen Philharmonic, Kristiansand Symphony, Vaasa City Orchestra, Liepaja Symphony, MiTo Festival with Tallinn Chamber Orchestra & EPCC, etc.
At Theatre Vanemuine he conducts the new productions of Turandot and Giulio Cesare.

Risto Joost’s discography includes four albums by Tõnu Korvits: The Sound of Wings and You are Light and Morning (Sei la luce e il mattino) with Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir,  Hymns to the Nordic Lights with Estonian National Symphony as well as Moorland Elegies (all Ondine). Furthermore it contains works by Haydn with Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Peeter Vähi with Latvian National Symphony, Arvo Pärt with Netherlands Chamber Orchestra & Netherlands Chamber Choir.

For his artistic activities in Estonia and abroad, Risto Joost received the music award of the Cultural Foundation in Estonia in 2016 and was awarded the Young Cultural Figure Award of the Estonian Republic in 2011. He was Prizewinner of the Malko Conducting Competition 2015 and Jorma Panula Conducting Competition 2012.

Risto Joost has studied at the Estonian Academy of Music and received further training at the University for Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. In 2008, Risto Joost graduated from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm with a Masters Degree, majoring in orchestral conducting with Jorma Panula.

Joost founded the chamber choir Voces Musicales/Voces Tallinn in Estonia in 1999 and has been Artistic Director of the Birgitta Festival Tallinn in 2017 and 2018.

Season 2023/24

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News/Info

Risto Joost conducts Bach: St John Passion in Lisbon

Risto Joost conducts J.S. Bach: St John Passion with Gulbenkian Orchestra, Chor and soloists in Lisbon on 26, 27 and 28 March 2024.

Risto Joost at rostrum of Joensuu City Orchestra

Risto Joost is at rostrum of Joensuu City Orchestra on 22 February 2024 to conduct excerpts of Mozart: Idomeneo and Cherubini: Symphony D major.

Risto Joost conducts New Year's concerts with Noord Nederlands Orkest

Risto Joost conducts the New Year's concerts with Noord Nederlands Orkest and nine concerts in Netherlands from 4-13 January 2024. The programme features compositions of Mozart, Berlioz, Meyerbeer, Bernstein, Gounod, Dvorak, Celia, Mascagni, Verdi and Johann Strauss.

Risto Joost conducts Christmas Jazz Concert in Tallinn

Risto Joost conducts music by Erkki-Sven Tüür and Meelis Vind at Christmas Jazz Festival in Tallinn on 10 December 2023 in Tallinn with Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, YXUS Ensemble and New Wind Jazz.

Risto Joost conducts Gulbenkian Orchestra

Risto Joost is at rostrum of Gulbenkian Orchestra in Lisbon on 9 and 10 November 2023 to conduct Sibelius: En Saga, Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 and Beethoven: Symphony No. 7.

 

Risto Joost conducts Heilbronn Chamber Orchestra

Risto Joost is at rostrum of Heilbronn Chamber Orchestra in Heilbronn and Ulm on 18 and 19 October 2023 to conduct a programme by Pärt, Weinberg, Tchaikovsky and Mozart.

Risto Joost conducts Tallinn Chamber Orchestra & EPCC at MiTo Festival

Risto Joost conducts the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir at MiTo Festival

in Torino on 19 September 2023 and in Milano on 20 September. The programme features Arvo Pärt: L'Abbe Agathon and Tonu Korvits: The Sound of the Wings.

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Risto Joost debuts with Antwerp Symphony

Risto Joost gives his debut with Antwerp Symphony in two Open Air concerts in Antwerp on 3 September 2023 conducting music by John Williams, Max Steiner etc. as well as by Bizet, Piazzolla and Rimsky-Korsakov.

Risto Joost appointed as Chief Conductor of Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn

Risto Joost has been appointed as new Chief Conductor of Wurttemberg Chamber Orchestra Heilbronn from season 2024/25 for four years. Before he collaborated with the orchestra in several productions since 2017 to great acclaim.

Risto Joost: New album by Tonu Korvits: The Sound of Wings

Ondine has published a further album of Risto Joost, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir featuring Tonu Korvits: The Sound of Wings.

 

Risto Joost at rostrum of Flanders Symphony

Risto Joost conducts the Flanders Symphony Orchestra at Stroom Festival in Donkmeer Berlare Belgium on 21 June 2023 with Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Risto Joost conducts Slovenian Philharmonic & Choir

On 9 June 2023 Risto Joost directs the Slovenian Philharmonic, Choir and soloists in Ljubljana with Mozart: Symphony No. 41 D major KV 551 "Jupiter" and Mass C minor KV 427.

Risto Joost conducts season final concerts of Vanemuine Symphony

Risto Joost conducts the season final concerts of Vanemuine Symphony with Rasmus Puur: Trickster, Tonu Korvits: Bassoon concerto Rain's Songs to the rainbow and Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances in Tartu on 12 May, Johvi on 13 May and Viimsi on 14 May.

Risto Joost conducts Liepaja Symphony

Risto Joost conducts the Liepaja Symphony in Latvia on 28 April 2023 in Anna Clyne: Sound & Fury, Elgar: Cello concerto and Brahms: Symphony No. 3.

 

Risto Joost at rostrum of Zuidnederland Philharmonic

Risto Joost conducts the Zuidnederland Philharmonic in three concerts: Heerlen 30 March 2023, Breda 31 March, Eindhoven 1 April with Schubert: Symphony No. 5, Cantus in memoriam Benjamin Britten and Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2.

Risto Joost with Gulbenkian Orchestra

On 23 and 24 March 2023 Risto Joost conducts the Gulbenkian Orchestra & Choir and soloists in Lisbon with Mozart: Requiem and Piano Concerto d minor KV 466.

Risto Joost at Norrlandsoperan Orchestra

On 9 February 2023 Risto Joost is at rostrum of NorrlandOperan Orchestra in Umea to conduct music by Grazyna Bacewicz, Allan Pettersson and Brahms.

Risto Joost conducts Flanders Symphony

Risto Joost conducts the Flanders Symphony in five concerts: Brugge 13 January 2023, Deinze 14, Gent 15, Heist-op-den-Berg 20 and Antwerp 22. Programme: Berlioz: Le Carnaval Romain, Avner Dorman: Concerto for percussion Frozen in Time and compositions by Johann Strauss, Saint-Saens, Lehar, Dvorak and Offenbach.

Risto Joost at rostrum of Lahti Sinfonia

On 17 November 2022 Risto Joost conducts the Lahti Sinfonia featuring C.P.E. Bach: Symphony E flat major, Hummel: Trumpet Concerto and Brahms: Symphony No. 4.

Risto Joost at rostrum of Bavarian State Orchestra

Risto Joost gives his debut with Bavarian State Orchestra in Munich on 31 October and 1 November 2022. The programme features Rimsky-Korsakov: Sadko, Sibelius: Violin Concerto and Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition.

Risto Joost conducts Don Giovanni in Kristiansand

Risto Joost conducts the new production of Don Giovanni (direction: John Ramster) with the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra and Kilden Opera in Kristiansand, Norway

on 17 September 2022. Further performances: 20./22./24./27./29.09.2022.

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Risto Joost conducts premiere of Tonis Kaumann: The Mall

Risto Joost conducts the premiere of Tonis Kaumann: The Mall at Vanemuine Theatre in Tartu on 19 August 2022 (direction:Liis Kolle). Further performances: 21.08., 14.09., 02.10., 19.11., 14.12., 28.01.2023, 23.03., 26.04.

Risto Joost conducts Heilbronn Chamber Orchestra in Schwäbisch Gmünd

Risto Joost conducts the Heilbronn Chamber Orchestra & Junger Kammerchor Rhein-Neckar at Festival Europäischer Kirchenmusik in Schwäbisch Gmünd on 16 July with music by Richard Strauss and Peteris Vasks.

https://www.swr.de/swr2/musik-klassik/festival-europaeische-kirchenmusik-schwaebisch-gmuend-2022-swr2-mittagskonzert-2022-07-25-100.html

(available until 22 August)

 

Risto Joost debuts with Gulbenkian Orchestra & Choir

Risto Joost gives his debut with Gulbenkian Orchestra & Choir and soloists with Bach: Mass B minor at Basilica of Mafra, Portugal on 7 July.

Risto Joost conducts Liepaja Symphony

On 3 December Risto Joost is at the rostrum of Liepaja Symphony in Latvia to conduct Heino Eller: Symphonic poem "Koit", Sibelius: Symphony No. 1 and the world premiere of Rihards Dubra: Concerto for harp and percussion.

Risto Joost conducts Wagner & Mahler

Risto Joost conducts as season opening of the Vanemuine Symphony Wagner's Ouverture Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Mahler: Rückert-Lieder and Symphony No. 2 in three concerts in Tartu on 3 September, Johvi on 4 September and Tallinn on 5 September.

Risto Joost conducts Noord Nederlands Orkest & Choir

Risto Joost performs Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with the Noord Nederlands Orkest & Noord Nederlands Concert Choir and soloists in an Open air concert in Biddinghuizen/Drachten on 22 August.

Risto Joost debuts with Dortmund Philharmonic

Risto Joost gives his debut with Dortmund Philharmonic on 8 June, 20:00 (CET) with Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream (excerpts) and Sibelius: Violin Concerto

(soloist: Alexander Prushinskiy). (Available until 9 June, 23:59). The Violin Concerto will be streamed live from Konzerthaus Dortmund, Mendelssohn will be available at a later stage. <link www.theaterdo.de/produktionen/detail/9-philharmonisches-konzert-skandinavische-weiten/ _blank>https://www.theaterdo.de/produktionen/detail/9-philharmonisches-konzert-skandinavische-weiten/</link>

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Risto Joost at rostrum of Aalborg Symphony

Risto Joost is at rostrum of Aalborg Symphony, Aalborg Philharmonic Choir and Thisted Kirkes Drenge-Mandskor in Aalborg and Thisted on 16 and 17 December. The programme features Händel: Messiah (Mozart version).

Risto Joost conducts Don Giovanni in Tartu

Risto Joost conducts the new production of Don Giovanni at Tartu Opera Estonia on 27 November (direction: Elmo Nüganen). Further dates: 04.12./15.12.2021/12.01.2022.

Risto Joost conducts Janacek Philharmonic at Baltic tour

Risto Joost conducts the Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra in three concerts in Pärnu on 17 September, Tallinn on 18 September and Rezekne (Latvia) on 19 September. The programme includes music by Smetana, Bartók and Dvořák.

Risto Joost: New album of Tõnu Korvits

Ondine has released another album of Risto Joost, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir featuring Tonu Korvits: You are Light and Morning (Sei la luce e il mattino) to great acclaim. Listen to the recording here: <link https: open.spotify.com album _blank>

open.spotify.com/album/7lQZEVDNC125bR5szMUTGg

Risto Joost conducts Noord Nederlands Orkest

Risto Joost has been at the rostrum of Noord Nederlands Orkest on 17 December, 20:00 to conduct Händel: Messiah (arias for soprano and mezzo) and Music for the Royal

Fireworks, Samuel Scheidt: In Dulci Jubilo as well as Christmas Carols. Here the video: www.omropfryslan.nl/utstjoering/nno-konsert-fan-17-desimber-2020-2000

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Risto Joost conducts Pärnu City Orchestra

Risto Joost stands at the rostrum of Pärnu City Orchestra in Pärnu on 24 October to conduct Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 and Prometheus (excerpts) as well as Mozart's Flute Concerto G Major KV 313.

Risto Joost conducts Tapiola Sinfonietta

Risto Joost conducted the Tapiola Sinfonietta in Espoo on 26 November to perform music by Esa-Pekka Salonen and Francis Poulenc to be streamed:

<link https: www.tapiolasinfonietta.fi en concert matinee-2-2>

www.tapiolasinfonietta.fi/en/concert/matinee-2-2/

(Salonen 14’-31’ | Poulenc 38’-64’).
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Risto Joost conducts Helsinki Philharmonic

Risto Joost returns to the rostrum of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra on 6, 8 and 9 October to conduct music by Wagner, Mozart, Nico Muhly and Ravel. The concert on 9 October, 18:00 (CET) will be streamed live:<link https: helsinginkaupunginorkesteri.fi en hko-screen _blank>

helsinginkaupunginorkesteri.fi/en/hko-screen

(available afterwards)

Risto Joost at rostrum of Prague Symphony Orchestra

Risto Joost conducts the Prague Symphony and Kühn Choir Prague with soloists on 22 September featuring music by Mozart and Arvo Pärt. Czech Radio broadcasts the concert.

Risto Joost conducts season opening concert in Tartu

Risto Joost conducts the season opening concert with the orchestra and chorus of the Vanemuine Theatre Tartu, Chamber Choir of University Tartu and soloists on 4, 7 and 8 September. The programme features Beethoven Symphony No. 9 and Eino Tamberg Avafanfaarid (Excerpts from Cyrano de Bergerac).

Risto Joost: portrait

View a portrait of Risto Joost here: <link https: www.youtube.com _blank>

www.youtube.com/watch

(60 min)

Risto Joost at rostrum of Heilbronn Chamber Orchestra

Risto Joost conducts the Heilbronn Chamber Orchestra in Heilbronn on 19 March and Ulm on 20 March. The programme features music by Erkki-Sven Tüür, Hindemith, Arvo Pärt, Britten and Sibelius.

Risto Joost at rostrum of Janacek Philharmonic

On 5 March Risto Joost conducts the Janacek Philharmonic in Ostrava with music by Smetana, Wagner, Grieg, Sibelius and Pärt.

Risto Joost at ECM Festival in Hamburg

Risto Joost is at the rostrum of Tallinn Chamber Orchestra at ECM Festival in Hamburg Elbphilharmonie on 5 February to conduct the portrait Souvenance by and with Anouar Brahem for oud, bass clarinet, bass, piano and chamber orchestra.

Risto Joost on tour with Tallinn Chamber Orchestra

Risto Joost conducts the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra in Dornbirn and Bruneco on 29 and 30 January. The programme features Arvo Pärt Cantus in memoriam

Benjamin Britten and Fratres for solo violin and orchestra, Mendelssohn Violin Concerto D minor (soloist: Carolin Widmann) and Erich Korngold Symphonic Serenade.

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Press

Discography

Tõnu Korvits: The Sound of Wings

Tõnu Korvits: The Sound of Wings
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
Ondine (2023)

Tõnu Korvits: You are Light and Morning Tõnu Korvits: You are Light and Morning (Sei la luce e il mattino)
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Ondine (2020)
Tõnu Korvits: Hymns to the Nordic Lights Tõnu Korvits: Hymns to the Nordic Lights
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra
Ondine (2020)
Tõnu Korvits: Moorland Elegies Tõnu Korvits: Moorland Elegies
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Ondine (2017)
Joseph Haydn Symphony No 1 in D Major
Cello Concerto No 1 in C Major
Symphony No 104 in D Major
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Silver Ainomäe, Risto Joost
Tallinna Filharmoonia (2014)
Peeter Vähi: Maria Magdalena Latvian National Symphony Orchestra
State Choir Latvija
Riga Dom Cathedral Boys Choir
Sevara Nazarkhan, Priit Volmer, Peeter Volkonski
Estonian Record Productions (2012)
Arvo Pärt: Wallfahrtslied Wallfahrtslied Orient & Occident Nunc dimittis Fratres Te Deum Nederlands Chamber Orchestra Netherlands Chamber Choir Gordan Nikolic (Violine) Globe (2011)
Palestrina/Pärt Palestrina /Arvo Pärt: Mass, Kyrie, The Woman With The Alabaster Box, Gloria, Tribute To Caesar, Credo, I Am The True Vine, Sanctus / Benedictus, Most Holy Mother Of God, Agnus Dei I And II
Netherlands Chamber Choir
Globe (2010)
Estonian Composers IV Toivo Tulev, Mirjam Tally, Tõnu Kõrvits, Age Veeroos, Märt-Matis Lill, Tatjana Kozlova, Virgo Veldi, Jaan Varts
Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Vox Clamantis
Estonian Public Broadcasting (2010)
Arvo Pärt: Pilgrim’s Song Arvo Pärt: Pilgrim's Song
Chamber Choir Voces Musicales
Estonian Record Productions (2009)
René Eespere: De spe François Soulet, Jelena Voznesenskaya, Sauli Tiilikainen, René Soom, Anu Lamp, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
Estonian Record Productions (2009)
René Eespere: Concertatus celatus René Eespere: Concertatus celatus
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
Bella Musica (2007)
Peeter Vähi: A chant of bamboo Peeter Vähi: A chant of bamboo
Tallinn Chamber Orchestra
Estonian Record Productions (2006)