Aaro Pertmann

Composer, ECU member since 2002
Born on 10.01.1971

Aaro Pertmann studied music theory at the Tallinn Georg Ots Music School, while also studying composition with Alo Põldmäe. In 1996, he graduated from the Estonian Academy of Music with a degree in composition, under the supervision of Eino Tamberg. Pertmann currently works as a music teacher at Tallinn Old Town Adult Gymnasium.

Pertmann’s works have been performed by the Ellerhein Girls’ Choir, the Latvian National Orchestra, the Nõmme City Orchestra, the Tallinn Saxophone Quartet, the New Tallinn Trio, cellist Pärt Tarvas, pianists Mati Mikalai and Martti Raide, saxophonist Virgo Veldi, harpist Tatjana Lepnurm, soprano Pille Lill, baritone Villu Valdmaa, and others. His music has been performed in various parts of Estonia, primarily at the Estonian Music Days festival.

His choral work Magnificat won third prize in a competition for new choral works organised by the Estonian Women’s Choral Association in 1997. In 2001, Pertmann’s Serenade won third prize in the Sinfonia Baltica composition competition organised by the Latvian National Orchestra in Riga. In 2007, his work Encounters in Dreams won third prize in a competition for new organ works organised by the Pärnu Organ Festival and the Tallinn Organ Festival. In spring 2016, Pertmann’s Piano Sonatina No. 3 reached the finalist stage in the solo works category of the Second Maurice Ravel International Composition Competition, held in Bergamo, Italy.

In recent years, the composer has collaborated extensively with the Pille Lill Music Fund (PLMF). In 2015, his work Hingemaskid, for piano trio, was performed at concerts organised by the PLMF as part of the concert series marking the 90th anniversary of the Estonian Composers’ Union.

Aaro Pertmann also graduated in history from the University of Tartu in 2008, studying through its Open University programme.

Major works and creative achievements

  • Oratorio Noor Eesti (2010–2015), for chamber choir, soloists and chamber orchestra.
  • Armastuse ülemlaul (1998), for children’s choir (or women’s choir) and instrumental ensemble.
  • Serenaad (1999/2000), for symphony orchestra.
  • Sinfonietta (2008), for symphony orchestra.
  • Öö ja tuule laulud (2016), for soprano and chamber ensemble.
  • Two works inspired by the writings of Anton Hansen Tammsaare:
    • Palvekiri keisrihärrale (2003), for soprano and saxophone quartet.
    • Neli episoodi Miralda Mauruse kirjadest (2006), for soprano and saxophone quartet.
  • Tähesonaat (2019), Op. 53.

World premiere: Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by John Rusty Koenig; 10 July 2022, Bulgaria Concert Hall, Sofia, Bulgaria, as part of the Sofia Symphonic Summit.

  • Symphony (2023/2025), Op. 66.
    I. Andantino
    II. Moderato
    III. Animato

Performances:

  • Second movement: Lemberg Sinfonietta, conducted by Roman Kreslenko; 10 April 2025.
  • First movement: Lemberg Sinfonietta, conducted by Roman Kreslenko; 16 April 2025. Both performances took place at the Lviv Philharmonic Concert Hall in Ukraine.
  • Third movement: Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Evan Harger; 29 May 2026, Aristotle University Concert Hall, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Since July 2026, Pertmann has been a composer published by the Vienna-based publishing house Universal Edition.

Further information: Estonian Music Information Centre