Marju Riisikamp

b. December 21, 1958 Tallinn

Marju Riisikamp graduated from Tallinn Music High School on piano under the guidance of Mai Katsuba and Ene Metsjärv (1977) and continued studies at Tallinn State Conservatory with Virve Lippus, graduating in 1982. In 1981–1982 Marju Riisikamp received facultative studies on organ with Hugo Lepnurm and continued studies in 1994 in Italy, Brescia on clavichord, organ and harpsichord under the guidance of Christopher Stembridge. In 2000 Marju Riisikamp obtained masters degree from Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre on harpsichord under the guidance of Imbi Tarum and Christopher Stembridge and developed her skills in 2004 at Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre studying basso continuo and improvisation with Eduardo Maria Belotti. In addition, Marju Riisikamp has developed her skills at international mastercourses in Switzerland Fribourg, in Netherlands Alkmaar and Amsterdam and Amsterdam and repeatedly in Italy with historical keyboard players as Pieter van Dijk, Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini, Christopher Stembridge, Ketil Haugsand, Edoardo Maria Bellotti, Bill Porter, Marieke Spaans ect. Since 2008 Marju Riisikamp continues doctoral studies at Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and has spent 2009/2010 as an exchange student at Trossingen University of Music in Germany under the guidance of Marieke Spaans (harpsichord) and Edoardo Bellotti (organ, counterpoint and improvisation).

In 1982–1987 Marju Riisikamp worked at Georg Ots Tallinn Music School as an accompanist and in 1987–2010 Music School of Old Town Educational College as an accompanist and harpsichord teacher, where she was with colleagues Anne Tüür and Ingrid Vooglaid founder of harpsichord curricula. In 1987–1992 Riisikamp also participated at vocal ensemble and baroque orchestra LinnaMuusikud (artistic director - Taivo Niitvägi). Marju Riisikamp is founder of concert series Kaminamuusika which comprise poetry, music, theatre and art (1996). She has given several concert-lectures at concert venue Estonia Talveaed in Estonian National Opera and other chamber halls in Tallinn including series Kolm pilku Itaaliale, Klahvpillimuusika ajalugu and Aken ajatusse (1999–2002). Marju Riisikamp has also worked at Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre as lecturer of historical keyboards interpretation. She often performs as a soloist and ensemblist both in Estonia and abroad including Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Sweden, Russia, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg and Switzerland. As a chamber musician Marju Riisikamp has had longtime cooperation with Grand Theatre–National Opera in Warsaw and Latvian National Opera, with Saint Petersburg’s ensemble Novaja Gollandija and Vilnius early music festival Banchetto Musicale. Riisikamp has also cooperated with Estonian early music ensemble Rondellus and Saltatores Revalienses (historical dance).

Currently Marju Riisikamp works at Türi Music School as a teacher of music history and accompanist, she is also an active performer, publicist and translator. Books as Ann Bond Playing the harpsichord (2010), Heinrich Harrer Seven Years in Tibet (2000) has translated by Marju Riisikamp, she is also one of the translators of the Herman Hesse’s book Musik des Einsamen. Marju Riisikamp belongs to the board of Estonian Organ Society (2001), Estonian Organ Society (2000) and Association of Estonian Professional Musicians (2002).

Marju Riisikamp has made recordings for Estonian Public Broadcast and released CD-s including Espressione (1998) with vocalist Anne-Liis Poll and Tõnu Jõesaar on viola da gamba and Renaissance organ music from England and Italy (2005). In addition Riisikamp performance may be found as a guest musician at Rondellus’ CD-s Carmina sanctorum (1998) and Sabbatum (2002).

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