Liis Jürgens
Harp · Estonia
Biography
Liis Jürgens is an Estonian harpist, composer and improviser whose artistic practice brings together music, improvisation and visual arts. Her work is characterised by imaginative thinking, an experimental approach to sound and the transformation of visual ideas into distinctive musical soundscapes.
She studied harp at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, and composition with Mati Kuulberg, Alo Põldmäe and Helena Tulve. She has been developing her free improvisation practice since 1999, initially under the guidance of Taavi Kerikmäe, Anto Pett and Anne-Liis Poll. From 2012 to 2015, she studied animation at the Estonian Academy of Arts, exploring the relationship between music and visual expression.
Liis Jürgens was a member of the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra from 2007 to 2017 and the contemporary music ensemble Una Corda from 2009 to 2024. She is active in classical, jazz and improvisational music projects and has collaborated extensively with conductor Kristjan Järvi and the Baltic Sea Philharmonic.
Her composition Liivaterade raamat (The Book of Sand Grit) received the Composer Award at the Estonian Music Days festival in 2012. In 2025, she presented a solo harp programme at the Arvo Pärt Centre featuring her own compositions and arrangements of works by Estonian composers.
At the festival
Sessions at the festival
Free Improvisation Workshop with Liis Jürgens
Discover the freedom of improvisation with Estonian harpist, composer and improviser Liis Jürgens! This hands-on workshop will develop listening skills, creativity and confidence in spontaneous music-making. Open to harpists of all levels, from beginners to professionals. No previous improvisation experience is required.
- LMTA, Karosas Hall
- Free, advance registration required
- Harpists of all levels, from beginners to professionals
Tutor
Liis Jürgens
