Mihkel Peäske

b. April 13, 1971 Tallinn
Member of the Association of Estonian Professional Musicians since 2002
Board member of the Estonian Flute Association since 1999

One of the most outstanding Estonian flutists Mihkel Peäske operates as a soloist, orchestra and chamber musician. Baroque, Classical and contemporary music have greatest preference in Peäske’s extensive repertoire.

Mihkel Peäske started his music studies at Tallinn Music High School in the piano class of Ell Saviauk and Toivo Peäske but he graduated as a flutist under the guidance of Raivo Peäske in 1989. In 1989-1994, Mihkel Peäske studied flute at the Estonian Academy of Music with Samuel Saulus and Jaan Õun. 1995-1997, he was a postgraduate student of Karlsruhe University of Music in Germany with Renate Greiss-Armin and Matthias Allin. In 2001-2007, Peäske obtained his PhD degree from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. He has taken part in master courses of Aurele Nicolet, Barthold Kuijken, Andreas Blau, Carin Levine and Jean-Michael Tanguy.

Mihkel Peäske has gained recognition at several competitions: in 1990, he won the third prize at the Estonian Woodwind Players Competition, in 1992, Favorite of the Audience Award at the contest festival Con Brio and a Special Prize at the university contest of Karlsruhe University of Music in 1996.

While still a student, Peäske started playing in various orchestras. He became the member of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra in 1991. Since its foundation in 1993, Peäske has been the member of the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra with which he has performed in several European and North American countries and recorded several CD-s, including works by Estonian composers Arvo Pärt, Erkki-Sven Tüür and Heino Eller. Peäske started working as a teacher at Tallinn Music High School in 1991. Since 2001, he has also been a teacher at the Estonian Academy of Music.

Mihkel Peäske is the founding member of the NYYD Ensemble (1993). NYYD Ensemble has performed at reputed new music festivals, such as ArtGenda in Copenhagen, Baltic Arts in London, Time of Music in Viitasaari, Finland, Warsaw Autumn in Poland, Gaida in Vilnius, MaerzMusik in Berlin and Klangspuren in Tirol, and recorded several CD-s.

Mihkel Peäske held his first recital in 1991 and aside from Estonia he has thereafter performed in Australia, France, Denmark, Russia, Germany and Sweden. He is also a recognized ensemble musician. He has performed together with many Estonian musicians, including Jana Peäske, Harry Traksmann, Leho Karin, Kalev Kuljus, Toomas Vavilov, Kaia Urb and others. In 2001, he performed with the ensemble Villa Musica.

Several pieces have been commissioned from Estonian composers by Mihkel Peäske: Erkki-Sven Tüür Architectonics VII (for flute, bass clarinet and piano) and Dick and Toff in Wonderland (for flute and bass clarinet), Toivo Tulev Op. 18, Raimo Kangro Display V – Portrait of Angel and Concerto for Two, Mari Vihmand Swirl,  Ülo Krigul Circlesquare and Tõnu Kõrvits Journey in the Night.

Mihkel Peäske has also recorded for the Estonian Radio.

© EMIC 2008

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).