Record company Harmonia Mundi has released mezzo soprano Iris Oja’s solo CD “Russian Songs”. Iris Oja is the first Estonian singer to record with one of the world’s leading record company Harmonia Mundi. CD presents works by two 20th century Russian composers: Rachmaninoff’s 5 romances and Shostakovitch’s Spanish Songs Op. 100 and 5 Romances Op. 98. Iris Oja is accompanied by renowned English pianist Roger Vignoles, who has cooperated with Kiri Te Kanawa, Thomas Allen and others. The CD was recorded in London Air Studio in November 2006.
Iris Oja has graduated from Estonian Academy of Music in classical singing with Prof. Taru Valjakka and Prof. Ivo Kuusk. She has improved her skills at masteclasses of Ellen Hargis, Rudolf Piernay and Roger Vignoles. Since 2000 Iris Oja has been the singer and soloist of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. She has sung solo parts in many vocal symphonic works performances at world’s various concert halls and performed roles in operas. Iris Oja has given several recitals and she is a member of new music ensemble Resonabilis. In 2002 Iris Oja won the Mart Saar Singers Contest in Tallinn. In 2003 she participated in Klaudia Taev International Competiton for Young Singers and Queen Sonja International Music Competition.