Number of images: 7In January 2026 the Estonian Foundation of Musical Instruments (Pillifond) marked ten years of activity with a festive gala concert. The stage featured Estonia’s finest string players performing on their rare and valuable instruments. Over the past decade, thanks to the support of Estonian entrepreneurs, the Foundation’s collection has grown to include eleven valuable string instruments and nine bows, enabling Estonian musicians to perform outstanding music on stages around the world.
“Ten years is an important milestone – it demonstrates that there is a strong trust in the Instruments Foundation and that our work has created lasting value for Estonian culture. I sincerely thank all the patrons whose purchase of fine instruments has supported the development of our musicians,” said Marje Lohuaru, Director of the Estonian Foundation of Musical Instruments. The Foundation hopes to further expand its collection of rare string instruments, as Estonia is home to many talented musicians whose artistic development would benefit greatly from access to exceptional instruments.
Tuuli Metsoja, producer at Estonian Concert, added that the partnership with the Instrument Foundation serves several important purposes. “It supports the creative journey of Estonia’s leading string players, highlights the importance of cultural patronage, and fosters collaboration that brings audiences outstanding string repertoire spanning different periods of music history. The Foundation’s rare instruments are played by both our most promising young talents and established artists, and this synergy between emerging and experienced musicians supports the younger generation while valuing musical experience. It creates opportunities for both the musicians and the instruments to shine,” said Metsoja. She also emphasized that it is ultimately the performer on stage who brings the instrument to life. The musician’s journey into the secrets and depths of a centuries-old instrument is an ongoing and extraordinarily fascinating process that unfolds before all of us.
The concert’s artistic director, Theodor Sink, who himself performs on a cello and bow provided by the Instrument Foundation, placed iconic string repertoire at the heart of the programme.
In addition to Theodor Sink, the concert featured performances on Foundation instruments by Hans Christian Aavik, Kaija Lukas, Katariina Maria Kits-Reimal, Anna Katarina Tralla, Uku Toots, Iris Eva Aabloo, Johanna Vahermägi, Leho Karin, and Valle-Rasmus Roots.
“According to expert assessments, the insured value of the collection of the Estonian Foundation of Musical Instruments has steadily increased over the past ten years. While we do not compete with asset classes promising rapid returns, we have proven ourselves as a unique form of cultural support. An entrepreneur is not simply donating money; they are actively involved, and their emotional connection to the investment remains very strong. It is a completely different experience to attend a concert where a brilliant musician is performing on an instrument that belongs to you,” said Lohuaru.
The mission of the Instrument Foundation is to bring valuable string instruments to Estonia with the support of entrepreneurs and investors, enabling talented young musicians to perform on world-class instruments. The Foundation has also made it a priority to support the next generation of instrument makers, contribute to the professional development of string-instrument students, and introduce world-class expertise in investing in string instruments to Estonia.
The Instrument Foundation was established on 7 December 2015 at the initiative of the Ministry of Culture by Swedbank, the Estonian National Culture Foundation, and Maestro Paavo Järvi. The Foundation’s first instruments were presented in December 2016.
The concert Metamorphoses, organised in cooperation with Estonian Concert, is available for replay on Klassikaraadio. The programme featured Richard Strauss’s Metamorphosen, TrV 290; Heino Eller’s Five Pieces for String Orchestra; and Jaan Rääts’s Concerto for Chamber Orchestra, Op. 16.