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CONCERTMASTER (PRINCIPAL I VIOLIN)

ERSO is announcing an audition for
CONCERTMASTER (PRINCIPAL I VIOLIN)

Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (ERSO) is the leading symphony orchestra in Estonia, vivid and versatile, adept in performing a wide array of traditional symphonic music, likewise taking a keen interest in contemporary music. Having a busy schedule of weekly concerts we take pride in performing with renowned conductors and soloists from around the world and cooperating with numerous highly acclaimed record companies. Undertaking 1-2 international tours yearly is customary, plus multiple concerts performed throughout Estonia.

Work details

ERSO comprises of 101 musicians and has two equal 1st concertmasters. Between them, they share the concertmaster responsibility and split podium attendance. Generally, this means around 110 podium days per season plus personal artistic preparation time, section management, jury work and section principals’ forums, publicity calls etc. The position entails ongoing diversity – there will be opportunities to perform as a soloist as well as chamber music with other orchestra members and guest soloists.

Monthly remuneration offered is 2734 Euros in gross sum (or 3858 Euros if the social tax will be paid by the Employee themselves), paid leave amounts to 35 holiday days annually.

Commencing from season 2024/2025 or earliest availability.

For further guidelines on working in Estonia, please refer to the state-supervised websites www.workinestonia.com, www.settleinestonia.ee.

Audition details

The audition will be held in three rounds – the video round, the stage round and the orchestra round.

Video Round:

To apply, please send your application and CV (no official application forms are provided) to audition@erso.ee, with a quoting reference “Concertmaster”,  by January 18th, 2024 at the latest, along with a link to one uncut video recording where you perform:

  • the violin solo from Beethoven’s Missa solemnis;
  • ­the violin solo from the Rimski-Korsakov’s suite Scheherezade Op. 35;
  • I movement of one concerto of candidate’s own choice from the following list (with exposition and cadenza):
    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216;
    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K. 218 OR
    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219.

Orchestral solos for the video round are downloadable here immediately.

The video recording must be filmed with one camera, the player facing the camera so that also both, the player’s hands and the instrument, can completely be seen throughout. Any post-processing of the sound or picture is prohibited. All required music must be recorded in one take. The recording should be sent to us as a link to an unlisted YouTube video.

Invitations to the stage audition will be sent to selected candidates by January 25th the latest, after the initial review of the sent documents and videos by the audition committee.

Stage Round:

The stage audition will be held on March 18th, 2024 at 14:30 at the Estonia Concert Hall.

For the stage audition please prepare:

I ROUND

  • I movement of one concerto of candidate’s own choice from the following list (with exposition and cadenza):
    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216;
    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K. 218 OR
    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219;
  • orchestral excerpts for the stage round (music downloadable here from January 25th).

II ROUND

  • I movement of one concerto of candidate’s own choice from the following list (with cadenza):
    Ludwig van Beethoven – Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61;
    Johannes Brahms – Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77;
    Pjotr Tchaikovsky- Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35;
    Jean Sibelius – Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47;
    Antonín Dvořák – Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53 OR
    Felix Mendelssohn – Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64;
  • the violin solos from the following pieces:
    Richard Strauss – Ein Heldenleben, Op. 40;
    Richard Strauss – Also sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30;
    Antonín Dvořák – Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88: II movement AND
    Johannes Brahms – Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op, 68: II movement;
  • orchestral excerpts for the stage round (music downloadable here from January 25th).

The stage audition will take place during the course of one day. Only live performances are possible. ERSO will not supply participants with visa invitations and will not pay for travelling expenses incurred by competitors.

Orchestral Round:

On the basis of the stage round, selected candidates will be asked to play in the orchestral round, participating in turn in ERSO’s concerts and related rehearsal periods by the end of June, 2024. The winner of the audition will be announced after the orchestral round.