Neeme Järvi - A True Kapellmeister

A profile of conductor Neeme Järvi. Interviews with his children, also famous musicians, and many clips provide an insight into his approach to music.

Poorhouse International has the pleasure to present a first coproduction with Estonian Public Television and Umberto & Co.

Estonian conductor Neeme Järvi is the head of a musical dynasty revolutionizing the musical life of Estonia and beyond. Born in Tallin, Neeme Järvi studied at the local conservatory before he moved to Leningrad where Yevgeny Mravinsky and Nikolai Rabinovich were his main teachers. After positions with the Estonian Radio Orchestra and the Nation Opera he emigrated in 1980 to the United States. He explains that he and Avo Pärt left at the same time as artistic freedom was severely curtailed in the then Soviet Republic of Estonia. His children Paavo and Kristjan Järvi became very successful conductors in their own right while daughter Maarika is an acclaimed flautist.

As a true Kapellmeister Neeme Järvi is curious about contemporary music, champions his Estonian composer friends Avo Pärt, Erikk-Sven Tüür and Eduard Tubin and has nearly 500 recordings to his credit. His last permanent position was with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. Director Erik Norkroos visited him at his US home, followed him on tour and filmed him at the Pärnu Music Festival, founded by his son Paavo, where he regularly appears and the entire Järvi family makes music and holds workshops for young musicians. Contributors include his children, Joshua Bell, Thomas Hampson and Nicola Benedetti, to name but a few. Clips from selected performances including a spectacular Waldbühne appearance round off a portrait of one of the last true Kapellmeisters of our time.

Production year 2023
Director Erik Norkoos
Duration 52'
Production Company Umberto & Co