Pianist Tähe-Lee Liiv puts audience at heart of music career

Pianist Tähe-Lee Liiv told ERR’s programme Hommik Anuga that the most important thing for her is performing for an audience that is warm, wants to attend her concerts and responds to her music.

Liiv, who is pursuing a broader international career, said her life is divided between studies in London and Berlin. She spends Monday to Wednesday in London and Thursday to Sunday in Berlin.

Her London school knows that she is also studying at another higher music institution. She has not told the school in Berlin, a small private institution with around 100 students, and hopes it will not find out. Liiv said she feared they might question why she wanted to study there as well.

Liiv said her favourite composers are Bach and Arvo Pärt. She is supported by her parents and grandparents, as well as by the Cultural Partnership Foundation, which supports young artists.

“I feel that this support and interest are growing in Estonian society, to stand behind young people who want to aim high,” Liiv said. She added that Estonian audiences are very supportive, including through the purchase of supporter tickets.