Henry-David Varema

Education: The Tallinn Conservatoire, Tallinn, Estonia, prof. Peeter Paemurru

Hochschule für Music, Munich, Germany, prof. Walther Nothas

Universität der Künste, Berlin, Germany, prof. Wolfgang Boettcher

Prize-winner at the 1987 Estonian National Cello Competition, gained a high commendation for performance at the 1991 International Maria Canals Competition in Barcelona. Solo performances throughout the Baltic States and Scandinavia, as well as in Germany and Great Britain. Has recorded Estonian music for labels such as Warner Classics and Antes, and in 2001 gave the word premiere of Eino Tamberg’s Cello Concerto.

As a member of the Berlin based Petersen Quartet from 2003 to 2009 frequent concerts in international music centres such as New York (Carnegie Hall Weill Hall), Paris (Châtelet), Berlin (Philharmonie), Munich (Herkulessaal), Zurich (Tonhalle), Sydney (City Recital Hall), and at major festivals such as Gstaad, Rheingau, Schwarzenberg, Salzburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and Edinburgh. Large and highly-acclaimed discography (on the Capriccio label) including quartet works by Beethoven, Shostakovich, Schumann, and Krenek. Prizes include the prestigious Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik. and the ECHO Classic award.

Orchestral experience includes being a member of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra 1988-1991 and since 1995 principal cellist of the Estonian National Opera Orchestra. Toured with Gidon Kremer and the Kremerata Baltica, appeared with the Ensemble Modern Frankfurt and worked as guest principal cellist with the Northern Sinfonia, the Munich Chamber Orchestra, the Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach Chamber Orchestra, the Auckland Philharmonia and the Sydney Symphony.

Since 2001 Henry-David Varema holds the position of associate professor for cello and chamber music at the Estonian Academy of Music.

He has given chamber music master classes at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow, the Eastman School of Music in Rochester NY, the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Stuttgart.

He is currently president of the Estonian String Teachers Association.