Virgo Veldi

Virgo Veldi graduated from the Georg Ots Tallinn Music School in 1988 (teachers Villu Veski and Prof. Olavi Kasemaa) and from the Tallinn Conservatory in 1993 (Prof. Kasemaa). He obtained his Master’s degree from the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in 1997 (Prof. Kasemaa) and from the Sibelius Academy in 2004 (Prof. Pekka Savijoki).

In 1990, Veldi won 3rd prize at the Estonian Woodwind Players Competition in Tallinn, and in 1996 he was awarded 1st prize and the audience prize at the Estonian Young Performers Competition “Con Brio.” He has worked as a saxophone teacher at the Georg Ots Music School and at the Sibelius Upper Secondary School in Helsinki. Since 2001, Veldi has been a saxophone lecturer at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, and he has given masterclasses in various European countries.

Veldi has appeared as a saxophone soloist with several renowned orchestras and has participated in projects of the NYYD Ensemble. He has been invited to perform at numerous festivals and has collaborated with conductors such as Aleksander Rjabov, Peeter Saul, Andres Heinapuu, Nikolai Aleksejev, Tõnu Kaljuste, Tarmo Leinatamm, Risto Joost, Erki Pehk, and Toomas Vavilov, among others.

Several Estonian composers, including Tõnu Kõrvits, Galin Grigorjeva, Toivo Tulev, Rein Rannap Eespere, and Pärt Uusberg, have written works specifically for Veldi. He has given numerous chamber concerts both in Estonia and abroad. His ensemble partners have included Ivari Ilja, Ralf Taal, Piia Paemurru, Mati Mikalai, Kai Ratassepp, Tatjana Lepnurm, Ulla Krigul, Aare-Paul Lattik, Ines Maidre, Jaak Lutsoja, and many others.

Virgo Veldi has also performed in pop music concerts with artists such as Anne Veski, Ivo Linna, Dave Benton, Koit Toome, and Tanel Padar, and has been a long-time saxophonist in the ensemble 2QS. From 1999 to 2014, he was a member and artistic director of the saxophone quartet SaxEst.