Terje Terasmaa

Terje Terasmaa graduated from Tallinn Music High School in 1982 and from the Tallinn State Conservatory (now the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre) in 1987, where he studied under the guidance of his father, Kalju Terasmaa. He received a diploma at the Estonian National Competition for Wind and Percussion Players in 1986 and a special prize at the Student Jazz festival in 1987.

In addition to his work with ERSO, Terje Terasmaa has worked as a freelance musician in the Netherlands and Estonia and has performed with the NYYD Ensemble, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and Nordic Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician and soloist, he has appeared at numerous festivals, including Estonian Music Days, NYYD Festival, PaukenfEst, Kuressaare Chamber Music Days, Hiiumaa Chamber Music Days and Viiulimängud in Haapsalu.

He performs mainly in a trio with violinist Arvo Leibur and guitarist Heiki Mätlik. In addition to Estonia, the trio has given concerts in several other European countries. A number of composers have dedicated works to the trio, including René Eespere’s Skulptuuri hommik, Raimo Kangro’s Kevadnägemused, Toivo Tulev’s Amid, Tõnu Naissoo’s Door of the Dream Can Be Open, Galina Grigorjeva’s Kusagil heliseb, Peeter Vähi’s Aleatory Heavy, Juuso Voltti’s Jänkha-dänkha and Robert Jürjendal’s Bells from the Past. Together, the trio has recorded three CDs: Viva España (1998), Tango King Astor Piazzolla (2000), which received the award for Estonia’s best classical CD of the year, and Drama (2001), featuring music by Estonian composers, as well as the DVD Grand Cafe Concert (2005). Terje Terasmaa released his solo CD of vibraphone music, Hõbehelid, in 2009.

From 1984 to 1990, Terje Terasmaa was a member of the ensemble In Spe. He took part in the premieres of Alo Mattiisen’s Concerto for Typewriter, the risottorios Roheline muna and Näärmed, and Five Patriotic Songs at the Tartu Popular Music Days.

Alongside his work as a musician, Terje Terasmaa is a certified tour guide and a member of the Tallinn Guide Association.