Mihkel Mattisen

b. 13.08.1976 Tallinn

Mihkel Mattisen is well-known as a classical pianist, pop singer, songwriter, music producer and concert arranger. He was the author of Estonian representative song for Eurovision Song Contest 2013 (So There Can be a New Beginning, performer Birgit Õigemeel).

Mihkel Mattisen has studied piano at the Tallinn Music High School with Heli Lääne, Ülle Sisa and Valdur Roots. In 1994–2000, he continued studies on piano at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre under the guidance of Valdur Roots. In addition, in 2000–2001 he improved his skills as a grantee at the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Artur Pizarro. In 2003, Mihkel Mattisen continued studies at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, obtaining a master's degree in 2007 under the guidance of Valdur Roots and Ivari Ilja. He has participated at several master courses, among the others with Liisa Pohjala, Erik E. Tawastjerna, Andrei Gavrilov, Ronan O'Hora, Angela Hewitt, Stephen Kovacevich, Kalle Randalu and Arbo Valdma.

Over twenty years, Mihkel Mattisen has figured in Estonian music life as a pop musician, classical pianist, songwriter, music producer and concert arranger. He is a versatile musician who has also given recitals as a solo pianist coopering with several orchestras such as Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, Pärnu City Orchestra, and Guildhall's School Orchestra. He has played in chamber ensembles in Estonia, England, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Finland and USA.

Mihkel Mattisen is a musician who follows his musical intuition and plays with remarkable concentration considering also the playing situation, audience and the frame of mind. He has cooperated with both Estonian pop and classical musicians including Age Juurikas and Lithuanian violinist Ruta Lipinaityte (since 2006). With pianist Rein Rannap Mattisen has created concert project and released a CD "2 on One". In 2005, Mattisen participated in Swedish program Top Europe and was a first performer of composer René Eespere’s work Februarium. Mihkel Mattisen has been also one of the most popular artists of the lecture-concert series in Estonian schools (organized by the state concert agency Eesti Kontsert), where he introduces music from baroque to pop. In addition to piano playing, Mattisen is also known as a singer and songwriter. In 1998, he was the vocal soloist at EBU (European Broadcast Union) concert with Estonian Radio Concert Orchestra, performing his song Mida küll soovin ma [What I Wish]. Mattisen has also written the Estonian representative song for Eurovision Song Contest 2013 (So There Can be a New Beginning, performer Birgit Õigemeel).

As a pop musician, Mihkel Mattisen is known as a singer from band Jam, which acted in 1994–2005 and has released 6 CDs. He has also acted as a pianist at popular Estonian TV- show Stars in Music. Since 2005, Mihkel Mattisen has started several solo projects giving recitals as a classical pianist as well as composing new songs. He has recorded solo CD with his songs "Lihtsalt oma teed". Several of his songs has represented at ensemble Violina's CD "Maagiline". He is also a member of pop-ensemble Swingers.


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