Elis Hallik

About Elis Hallik

Elis Hallik, a composer born in Estonia in 1986, is known for balancing structural, mathematical, and theoretical thinking with intuitive creativity and sensitivity to the essence of life in her works (Saale Kareda, 2017). Her compositions are described as 'gentle' and 'radiant' (Gavin Dixon, Bachtrack, 2015).

Her music is performed by well-known ensembles, soloists, and orchestras, such as Ensemble Musikfabrik (Clement Power), Ensemble Mosaik (Enno Poppe), Ensemble Synaesthesis, L’Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France (Pierre-André Valade), the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (Baldur Brönnimann, Olari Elts), and many others. In her composition, Hallik explores the factors that affect our ability to be present and conscious in the moment. She observes the world around us, including both silence and noise in their various forms, as well as micro-events in sound and the musical process. Through these observations, she hopes to gain insights into the patterns of our existence and reflect on our surroundings. Hallik searches for different structures and harmonies in the music, hoping to recognize the cyclical breathing or peacefulness of life. Her music often reflects the natural environment, including climate change, and archetypal forms of life.

In 2014, her piece Impacts for cello and double bass won first prize at the International Summer Academy (ISA) of the mdw (University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna). This achievement led to a new commission, To Become a Tree, which premiered in 2016 at ISA of the mdw in Arnold Schönberg Centre, Vienna. In 2017, Hallik represented Estonia at the International Rostrum of Composers in Palermo with To Become a Tree, which was chosen as one of ten recommended works by the Rostrum jury. That same year, Elis Hallik was selected as one of ten composers whose new orchestral piece, Fluchtpunkt, was performed by L’Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France under the baton of Pierre-André Valade at the IRCAM’s Manifeste Festival.