Draft:Tiit Kikas

Tiit Kikas

Tiit Kikas (born October 16, 1975, in Tallinn) is an Estonian multi-instrumentalist, musician, and composer known for his exploration of new sounds and the use of unique instruments.

Biography and career

Tiit Kikas began studying the violin at the age of four, and his musical journey led him to explore various genres and instruments. In the early 1990s, he developed an interest in traditional folk music, particularly traditional Irish violin music. Later, he dedicated himself to world music with electronic and ethno backgrounds. He has performed in various styles, including ethno, pop, rock, jazz, and crossover.

From 1995 to 1996, Kikas studied folk music and studio work at the Sibelius Academy in Finland. In 2011, he earned a diploma in jazz music from the University of Tartu's Viljandi Culture Academy, where he later taught digital music recording, post-production, and sound design for film, theater, and presentations.

Unique instruments

Laser harp

Tiit Kikas is also known for his unique instruments and diverse range of musical creations. Since 2004, he has developed a one-of-a-kind stage show in Estonia that incorporates a laser harp. This rare instrument was created specifically for the "Great Machines" and "Great War Machines" concert trilogy that took place during the Leigo Lake Music Festival in 2004, 2005, and 2007, in collaboration with the band No Big Silence.

In collaboration with Rolf Roosalu, he created the concert tour "Helgus" (2018–2021), which combined sound and light. This concert series resulted in a concert album released in August 2021.

Known for his use of unique instruments, Tiit Kikas is also developing a one-of-a-kind musical instrument in the world - the drone instrument. This instrument consists of 16 drones and a MIDI keyboard, and it was first introduced at the 20th anniversary celebration of the band Metsatöll in 2019. The drone instrument was specially built for the Estonian Concerts series "Technology and Music."

Composition

Tiit Kikas has worked as a composer and arranger for over a hundred music albums and has composed music for more than thirty films, including feature films, animated films, documentaries, and television programs. Additionally, he has written original music for several musicals and created musical designs for theatrical productions.

Film scores:

• 2022 - Liar's Club (TV-serie, directed by Ergo Kuld)
• 2023 - Susanna's Diaries (TV-serie, directed by Ergo Kuld)
• 2022 - Tuljak (short animated film, directed by Riho Unt)
• 2019 - Dora Who Came from Highway (feature film, directed by Urmas E. Liiv)
• 2015 - Ghost Mountaineer (feature film, directed by Urmas E. Liiv)
• 2013 - The Burden of Fire (documentary film, directed by Riho Västrik)
• 2012 - 2017 Miriam's Cartoons (animated films)
• 2010 - Näkilugu (student film, directed by Heleri Saarik)
• 2010 - Time is Here (documentary film, directed by Marje Jurtšenko)
• 2008 - The Return of the Musk Ox (documentary film, directed by Vassili Sarana)
• 2006 - In the Footsteps of Middendorff (documentary film, directed by Liina Trishkina, Riho Västrik)
• 2005 - Shop of Dreams (directed by Peeter Urbla)
• 2004 - Ring (directed by Andrus Tuisk)

Musicals:

• 2019 - Doors (composer [in collaboration with Jaagup Kreem], arranger)
• 2016 - Mart's Bread (arranger) 2015 - The Legend of Old Thomas (composer [in collaboration with Priit Pajusaar], arranger)
• 2012 - Shrek (musical director) at the Estonian Puppet and Youth Theater
• 2011 - The Werewolf (composer [in collaboration with Jaagup Kreem], arranger)

Kirile Loo's album "Lullabies for Husbands," produced by Tiit Kikas, reached the top twenty of the European World Music Chart.

On August 10, 2021, in Tartu at the Vanemuine Concert Hall, Tiit Kikas premiered the short opera "The Nightingale and the Student" (composer, arrangements). The libretto was written by Jaagup Kreem, and the opera was inspired by Oscar Wilde's story "The Nightingale and the Rose". The opera was created to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Tartu City Day festival "Opera Symbiosis."

The leading roles were performed by renowned Estonian artists, including soprano Elina Nechayeva, mezzo-soprano Kai Rüütel, tenor Reigo Tamm, and baritone Raiko Raalik. The E STuudio Youth Choir, conducted by Külli Lokko and Kärolin Tuisk, also participated, along with the Pärnu City Orchestra conducted by Kaspar Mänd.

Tiit Kikas has released two solo albums: "String Theory" (2007), jointly released by Elwood Music and Rockadillo Records, which was also released in Finland and Japan, and the second solo album "101 Clowns," released as a digital compilation in March 2012. It was well-received by the audience, and the album concerts led Kikas to perform outside of Estonia multiple times.

Musical ensembles and other projects

Tiit Kikas has been the electric violin soloist for Urmas Sisask's satellite concert "Triangulatsioon" op. 105 for electric violin and symphony orchestra, performed as a premiere. He has also performed as a soloist in Eduard Tubin's works in Kihnu with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and in Leipzig with the MDR Symphony Orchestra conducted by Kristjan Järvi.

He has been involved in various projects, including bands like Vägilased, Justament, Tulli Lum, Dagö, Folkmill, and Jääboiler, among others.

In 2002, in collaboration with Villu Veski, he created an interval act for the Eurovision Song Contest in Saku Suurhall, Estonia. Kikas and Veski completed the final mixing and production of the interval act at Peter Gabriel's Real World studio.

In 2011, Tiit Kikas served as the musical director for the Estonian Youth Dance Festival.

• Tiit Kikas and Rolf Roosalu "Now we are free" in TV show Hommik Anuga