Vambola Krigul

b. April 12, 1981 Tallinn

Vambola Krigul is a well known percussionist, active as a soloist, chamber musician and bandsman.

Vambola Krigul studied flute with Kai Kiik, percussion instruments with Madis Kaupmees, clarinet and saxophone with Villu Musting at the Nõmme Music School. After graduating from the Tallinn Music High School in 1999 he continued in percussion class of Rein Roos at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, where he graduated from in 2004 with a Bachelor’s and in 2006 in Master’s degree. At the present time, he is pursuing his studies with PhD program at the same institution. Krigul has participated in the master classes of Keiko Abe, Sylvio Gualda and Evelyn Glennie in Stockholm, Mark Pekarski and Tomáš Ondrušek in Moscow, Klaus Tresselt and Ivo Medek in Trstenices, Czech Republic.

Krigul has won prizes at several contests, gaining the first prize in 1997 as a clarinetist in the Competition for Estonian Woodwind Players. In 2000, he was the finalist of the Eurovision Young Musicians (at the Grieg Concert Hall in Bergen, Norway) which is one of the most important international classical music competitions. In 2001, he won the first award in Yamaha Competition for Percussionists and in 2006 he was the winner of Competition for Percussion and Woodwind Players in percussion category.

Krigul has worked in the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra since 2000 and in the Symphony Orchestra of Estonian National Opera since 2002. In 2002–2006 he was a teacher in Nõmme Music School and he has aslo conducted master classes in Põltsamaa and Võru summer courses for young wind instrument and percussion players.

In 2000, Vambola Krigul founded a percussion ensemble PaukenfEST. Other members are Anto Õnnis, Madis Metsamart and Lehari Kaustel. Most of the repertoire includes Estonian music, but also percussion music classics, from solo to quartets. Eino Tamberg, Lepo Sumera, Sven Grünberg, Ülo Krigul, Margo Kõlar and others have written for this ensemble. PaukenfEST has performed in all important music festivals in Estonia – NYYD, Estonian Music Days, Glasperlenspiel and Piano.

Vambola Krigul, playing with different ensembles as well as a soloist, has often been first performer of new pieces by Estonian composers like Toivo Tulev, Galina Grigorjeva, Märt-Mattis Lill, Lepo Sumera, Ülo Krigul, Kristjan Kõrver, René Eespere and Jaan Rääts. Krigul has made various chamber music projects with Sven Grünberg, Kalle Randalu, Madis Metsamart, Anto Õnnis, Ann Õun, piano duo Kai Ratassepp – Mati Mikalai, Ensemble U: and with NYYD Ensemble.

Vambola Krigul has also been active as a singer, has been a member of chamber choir Voces Musicales and at the moment he is a bass singer in sacral music ensemble Heinavanker.

The texts on the EMIC's homepage are protected by the copyright law. They can be used for non-commercial purposes referring to the author (when specified) and source (Estonian Music Information Centre).