The cellist, who was part of the extensive Järvi musical dynasty, died aged 67
The Estonian cellist Teet Järvi died on 18 June 2025, aged 67.
Järvi was born on 22 April 1958. His father was conductor Vallo Järvi. He studied at Tallinn Music High School, under the tutelage of Laine Leichter. He went on to graduate from the Tallinn State Conservatoire in 1981, where he studied with Peeter Paemurru. He received further training in Moscow with Natalia Shakhovskaya, Mikhail Homitser and Ivan Monighetti.
Järvi enjoyed competition success, picking up first prizes at the 1974 International Cello Competition in Czechoslovakia, the 1976 Baltic Competition and 1981 National Competition.
He served as principal cellist of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra from 1982 to 1990. He performed as a soloist with many orchestras and played with the Tallinn Quartet and Baltic Trio in Europe and the US. Additionally, he gave solo recitals within the former Soviet Union and abroad.
From 1993, Järvi worked in Finland with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, the FINEST Quartet and taught cello at the Lahti Conservatoire.
He participated annually at the Pärnu Music Festival and recorded the album Estonian Cello in 2008 with pianist Vardo Rumessen.
He is survived by his wife, the pianist Mari Järvi, with whom he had five children, all musicians, forming the ensemble Järvi Instrumentalists. His uncle is conductor, Neeme Järvi and was cousins of conductors Paavo Järvi and Kristjan Järvi, and the flautist Maarika Järvi.
The Estonian cellist Marcel Johannes Kits said on social media: ’Rest in peace, Teet Järvi.
’My first great role model and inspiration, because of whom I started playing the cello when I went to his concert at age 5. Will never forget his kindness, politeness, warmth and hisinsanely beautiful tone. Such a person can only be in heaven.
’Heartfelt condolences to the family.’
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