Barrel-organ festival brings 24 players to Tartu

The ninth barrel-organ festival has opened in Tartu, bringing together 24 players from seven countries, ERR reported. The festival has grown from fewer than 10 musicians at its first gathering, while the number of local enthusiasts has also increased. Around 10 barrel organs are now privately owned in Estonia.

The sounds of barrel organs filled Tartu Town Hall Square, where visiting players presented instruments rarely seen on the streets. For many participants, playing the instrument has become a way of life.

“This year’s oldest instrument is 149 years old and comes from Germany,” festival organiser Ingrid Kalev said. She added that public interest remains strong, with audiences becoming somewhat younger and asking whether the festival will return.

For German player Christa Hohnhäuser, the decision to become a barrel-organ player followed her work at a tourism agency in Berlin. Forty years ago, she was responsible for inviting barrel-organ players to the city. After meeting them, she left her job three years later and became a player herself.

Buying and travelling with the rare instruments is neither easy nor inexpensive. A barrel organ can cost from several thousand euros to tens of thousands of euros.

“I have just turned 50,” Finnish player Pikku-Markku Tuominen said. “Other men buy a motorcycle at this age, but I bought a barrel organ instead.”

Although playing the instrument may initially appear simple, turning the handle can tire the arm within minutes. Players do not always need specialised skills to make music, however.

Each mechanical instrument has its own history. Finnish player Markku Karvonen’s instrument was once played by two blind musicians. Karvonen said he was attending the festival for the 10th time and had not encountered another event with such a direct and warm relationship with its audience.

The barrel-organ repertoire ranges from classical music to pop hits. Players said they enjoy performing classical music, rock, beautiful melodies and familiar songs, including those by ABBA.

Open-air concerts will continue until Sunday.