Ardo Ran Varres

Ardo Ran Varres (born 19 March 1974 in Tallinn) is an Estonian composer and actor.

Ardo Ran Varres studied at the Tallinn Music High School from 1981–1992, graduated in clarinet performance, and at the Higher Theatre School of Estonian Academy of Music from 1992–1996. From 2009-2011 he studied composition in Helena Tulve's composition class at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Varres has played clarinet and saxophone at the Especially Sad Music Ensemble from 1991–1993. From 1996–2001 Varres was employed as an actor at the Rakvere Theatre and from 2001-2003 at the Estonian Drama Theatre, and was described as among "the leading younger [Estonian] actors and actresses of the last decade". From 2003-2011 he was the music director of the Estonian Drama Theatre. Since 2011 Varres has been a freelance artist. He was elected as member of the Estonian Composers Union in 2007.

Ardo Varres has worked with many stage directors at several theatres in Estonia and has played tens of roles (also in Finland, Denmark and Germany). He has written music for more than 50 productions, films, TV and radio productions, for both Estonian and foreign dramaturgy, world classics and modern plays.

Varres lives currently in Tartu, Estonia with his wife and son.

Concert music

• "Awakening bell", concerto for bass clarinet (Glasperlenspiel Festival, 2014)
• “The Field of Now”, chamber ensemble, live-electronics (2013)
• “Mantra”, mixed choir (2013)
• “Valge hobuse mägi” (White Horse Mountain), two clarinets (2013)
• “Carrmen!”, dance performance (2012)
• “Force majeure”, cello, phonogram (2012)
• “Jäälätted” (Ice Springs), bass clarinet, harp, tablas, citar (2012)
• “Das Ende Beginnt” (Beginning of the End), chamber ensemble, live-electronics (2011)
• “Angulated”, symphony orchestra (2011)
• “Fever”, piano, violin (2011)
• “Vastsest templist” (Of a New Temple), cantata for chamber orchestra (Jubileum of the Estonian Drama Theatre, 2010)
• “Kevade”, ballet (2009)
• “Tallinna Puhastustuli” (Purgatorium of Tallinn), rock-oratorio (2009)
• “Ärevad päevad. 1918” (The Hectic Days), chamber ensemble (2008)
• “Berlin Hauptbahnhof” (Berlin Central Station), cello, phonogram, live-electronics (2008)
• “Arabella ja Taaniel”, musical for children (2002)

Film music

Music for documentary and feature films, including:

• "Päike on hea laps" (The Sun is a good kid), documentary, 2014
• "Elavad pildid” (Living Images), feature film, 2012
• "Üks mu sõber" (A Friend of Mine), feature film, 2011
• "Disko ja tuumasõda" (Disco and the nuclear war), documentary, 2009
• "Sinimäed" (The Blue Hills), documentary, 2006
• "Herr Tartüff", 1925 silent film (2005)
• “Karujaht Pärnumaal” (Bear hunting in Pärnu county) 1914 silent film (2008)
• "Tuulepealne maa" (The Windward Land), television series, 2008
• "Kättemaksukontor" (Revenge office), television series, 2009
• "Härrad Abikaasad" (Mister husbands), television series, 1999, 2007
• "Ohtlik Lend" (Dangerous flight), television series, 2007
• “Stella stellaris”, television drama, 2000
• “Ma armastasin sakslast” (I was in love with a German), television drama, 1998

Stage music

Music for more than 20 theatre stagings, including:

• "Alustame algusest" (Let's start from the beginning), R.A.A.A.M, Free Stage, 2014
• "Estoplast" (Vanemuise Harbor Theatre, 2014)
• "Krabat" (Tallinn City Theatre, 2014)
• “Prohvet Maltsvet” (Maltsvet the prophet), 2013
• “Varastatud oranž jalgratas” (A stolen orange bicycle) Estonian Drama Theatre, 2010
• “Lõputu kohvijoomine” (Endless coffee drinking), Estonian Drama Theatre, 2008
• “Voldemar” (Estonian Drama Theatre, 2007)
• "Tõestus" (The proof), Tallinn City Theatre, 2002
• "Õhtusöök sõpradega" (Dinner with friends), Estonian Drama Theatre, 2001

Ardo Ran Varres's music has gained recognition by several awards:

• 2003 Estonian Authors' Society Year Award for music in drama theatre
• 2004 Estonian State Drama Theatre Colleague Award Ilu-Ants
• 2008 Estonian Authors' Society Award for music in stage play "Võluõunad" [Magic Apples]
• 2009 Award for musical directing in stage play "Lõputu kohvijoomine" [Endless coffee drinking] at festival Drama 2009
• 2010 Estonian Theatre Union Special Award for the dance performance "Kevade" [Spring]
• 2016 Theatre Award of the Union of Estonian Theatre Researchers and Critics
• 2016 Annual Prize of Estonian Theatre for music to Tallinn City Theatre's production "Krabat"