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Ludens, a recently established ensemble of esteemed Estonian musicians characterized by perpetual curiosity and unwavering dedication, bridges a gap in the Estonian music scene beyond the scale of a large ensemble/sinfonietta. While the first programs spanned compositions for chamber ensembles, including Arnold Schönberg’s “Pierrot lunaire” and a new work by Kirke Karja (*1989), future performances will see Ludens ranging from chamber ensemble to orchestra.

While focusing on contemporary music and commissioning new works, Ludens also fosters curiosity and imagination, establishing connections across various historical periods- some questions posed today may find answers in the past. Upcoming concerts will feature renowned composers such as György Ligeti, Igor Stravinski, Luigi Dallapiccola, as well as contemporary composers Madli Marje Gildemann (*1994), Maria Kõrvits (*1987) and others.

Additionally, Ludens actively seeks common ground with other art forms, both visually and verbally. True to its name, Ludens, which means “playing” in Latin, adeptly juggles music, time, media and form.

Conductor

Kaspar Mänd

Kaspar Mänd, recognized as one of Estonia’s most dynamic and versatile conductors, has established a reputation in both symphonic and operatic realms.
He came to attention by founding the New Street Orchestra (Uue Tänava Orkester) in 2016, with whom they performed the complete cycles of Beethoven and Mendelssohn symphonies. Between 2019-2023 Kaspar Mänd served as principal conductor of Pärnu City Orchestra. Since 2014 he is a resident conductor at the Estonian National Opera, where he has conducted around 40 different productions including Wagner “Lohengrin”, Debussy “Pelléas et Mélisande”, Verdi “La traviata”, Gounod “Romeo et Juliette” and many others. Kaspar Mänd started as an oboist and choral conductor, before graduating in orchestral conducting at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (prof. Paul Mägi). He received further training in Paris Consevatoire (CNSMDP) with prof. Zsolt Nagy and has participated in the masterclasses of Neeme Järvi, Paavo Järvi Leonid Grin and Susanna Mälkki.

Flutist

Maria Luisk

Maria Luisk started studying the flute at the age of 8 at the Nõmme Music School. Her musical journey took her to the Lucerne School of Music (prof. Pirmin Grehl) and Yale University in the United States (prof. Ransom Wilson), where she obtained Master's degree. She has played in several orchestras such as Bern Symphony Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, among others. Maria has a long-standing collaboration with Estonian National Opera and Estonian Festival Orchestra. In addition to her work in orchestras, Maria is a respected chamber music partner and flute teacher.

Clarinetist

Alexander Avramenko

Alexander Avramenko is a co-principal clarinetist of Estonian National Opera orchestra since 2017 and a former principal clarinetist of National Radio Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. He studied at Gliere Institute of Music and Tchaikovsky National Academy of Music in Kyiv, Ukraine. He has won the Grand Prix at the “Bydgoszcz Musical Impressions” 2007, 2nd Prize at the International Competition in Lviv 2009 and 1st Prize at the Tchaikovsky National Academy of Ukraine Competition.

Pianist

Kärt Ruubel

Kärt Ruubel is a passionate chamber musician who has performed across Europe, including venues such as the Berlin Philharmonie, Berlin Konzerthaus, Amsterdam Concertgebouw and Luxembourg Philharmonic with various ensembles. Ruubel has also performed at renowned festivals including the Usedom Music Festival, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festival, Hohenlohe Kultursommer, Pärnu Music Festival, and Gezeiten Music Festival. Her performances have been recorded for North German Broadcasting (NDR), West German Broadcasting (WDR), and BR Klassik.
A fascination with contemporary music spurred the founding of the Neophon ensemble. Since joining the ensemble in 2011, Kärt Ruubel has collaborated with composers such as Wolfgang Rihm, Jörg Widmann, and Peter Ruzicka. In 2018, Ruubel released her debut solo album "Auff die Mayerin" in collaboration with the record label Genuin Classics.

Violinist and violist

Kaija Lukas

Kaija Lukas passionately embraces the beauty and healing power of classical music, dedicating her life to inspiring as many people as possible through its wonders.
As a passionate chamber musician she performs both on violin and viola in professional ensembles across Europe, including The English Chamber Orchestra, Amsterdam Sinfonietta, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Dutch Chamber Orchestra, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. She has collaborated with quartets such as the Pavao, Idomeneo, and Piatti String Quartets.
Kaija has been the recipient of numerous awards in national and international competitions, including the Remember Enescu Competition in Romania, the Aram Khachaturian Competition in Armenia, and various national competitions in Estonia. She is a regular participant in the London Jigsaw Chamber Music Series.
Kaija's musical journey began at the Rapla Music School and the Tallinn Music High School. She then pursued her Bachelor's and Master's degrees at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, further obtaining additional diplomas from Temple University in Philadelphia and the Mozarteum in Salzburg.

Cellist

Theodor Sink

Theodor Sink is active as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician. He studied under Laine Leichter and Leho Karin, as well as with Professor Henry-David Varema at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, and under the guidance of Professor Marko Ylönen at the Sibelius Academy in Finland.
Since the 2017/18 season, Theodor Sink has served as the principal cellist of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra.
As a chamber musician, Theodor Sink has collaborated with artists such as David Geringas, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Víkingur Ólafsson, Florian Donderer, among others.
He performs on a cello crafted by Auguste Sébastien Bernardel (Père) in 1842, generously provided by the Estonian Foundation of Musical Instruments.
Theodor Sink has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Annual Prize from the Estonian Cultural Endowment's Fund for Music (2017), the title of Interpreter of the Year from the Estonian Interpreters' Union (2020), and the "Young Musician 2021" award.

Producer

Elo-Liis Parmas

Elo-Liis Parmas has worked as a staff member in various theatres in Estonia (Vanemuine, Von Krahl) and has also helped to organise opera galas, festivals and smaller projects as a freelancer. She has managed larger collaboration projects with Tallinn City Theatre (Winter Night’s Dream Festival),

Vanemuine Theatre, Estonian Drama Theatre, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Concert Estonia (and Saaremaa Opera Days), Estonian Composers’ Union (Estonian Music Days) and

Black Nights Film Festival (Industry@Tallinn Baltic Event) among other cultural institutions. Additionally, Parmas has herself initiated numerous theatre and music projects.