Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
0:05 I. Ben martellato
3:52 II. Quiet Song
10:05 III. Scherzo-toccata
Igor Žukov, piano
Estonian Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra, cond. Neeme Järvi
Original audio from youtube.com/watch?v=5v4gh5TNG_4
Unfortunately, the skip at 6:28 is from the original recording and I can't fix it. I've done my best to sync the video as smoothly as possible at that point so it doesn't affect the listening/watching experience too much.
Many Estonian composers of the mid-20th century have received some recognition internationally, Eduard Tubin and (slightly earlier) Heino Eller being chief among them. However, the achievements of many others remained largely stuck behind the Iron Curtain. One such example is Jaan Koha (1929-1993), a student of Eller and Mart Saar who struck out on his own path.
Especially known in Estonia today for his children's songs and choral works, Koha, who worked as a sound engineer at the Estonian radio and as a music theory teacher in Tallinn and Tartu, also wrote a number of orchestral and concerto works; his first piano concerto saw particular success and was performed throughout the former Soviet Union. The Estonian Music Information Centre writes of Koha's music: "His style of expression is sparing, thereat valuating the proper dosage of the means of expressions. Musical figures are colourful, themes are full of contrast, texture is clear and connection to Estonian folklore is noticeable."
Koha's second piano concerto, a perfect example of the composer's deliberately sparse means of expression, is an often energetic and rhythmic work with a touch of whimsy reminiscent of Prokofiev.
0:05 I. Ben martellato
3:52 II. Quiet Song
10:05 III. Scherzo-toccata
Igor Žukov, piano
Estonian Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra, cond. Neeme Järvi
Original audio from youtube.com/watch?v=5v4gh5TNG_4
Unfortunately, the skip at 6:28 is from the original recording and I can't fix it. I've done my best to sync the video as smoothly as possible at that point so it doesn't affect the listening/watching experience too much.
Many Estonian composers of the mid-20th century have received some recognition internationally, Eduard Tubin and (slightly earlier) Heino Eller being chief among them. However, the achievements of many others remained largely stuck behind the Iron Curtain. One such example is Jaan Koha (1929-1993), a student of Eller and Mart Saar who struck out on his own path.
Especially known in Estonia today for his children's songs and choral works, Koha, who worked as a sound engineer at the Estonian radio and as a music theory teacher in Tallinn and Tartu, also wrote a number of orchestral and concerto works; his first piano concerto saw particular success and was performed throughout the former Soviet Union. The Estonian Music Information Centre writes of Koha's music: "His style of expression is sparing, thereat valuating the proper dosage of the means of expressions. Musical figures are colourful, themes are full of contrast, texture is clear and connection to Estonian folklore is noticeable."
Koha's second piano concerto, a perfect example of the composer's deliberately sparse means of expression, is an often energetic and rhythmic work with a touch of whimsy reminiscent of Prokofiev.
