Sandra Nurmsalu
Encyclopedia
Urban Symphony is an Estonian music group. It represented Estonia
in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
with the song "Rändajad
", finishing in 6th place with 129 points. This is the best place for Estonia in the contest since 2002
.
took part in the singing talent show
called 2 takti ette, biennially held by the Eesti Televisioon
and broadcast nationwide. In a week of the contest, the contestants were tasked to form bands each on their own and each to produce a performance with it. Nurmsalu had studied the violin
for two years in the Georg Ots
Music School and had previously arranged the song "Nothing Else Matters
" by Metallica
for a string set
of the school. Therefore she decided to use one again. Nurmsalu turned to her former school, where she was introduced to Mann Helstein playing the viola
, Johanna Mängel playing the cello
, a female contrabass
player and a male keyboardist
. The band re-scored the song "Hungry" by Kosheen
and were pleased with the resulting televised and video recorded live performance. At the end of the series, Nurmsalu, Helstein and Mängel agreed to continue their collaboration. Mängel brought the new cello player Mari Möldre to the band. In the same while, Sven Lõhmus
, a music producer invited the group to work with him. The first track the team completed was "Rändajad
" for the contest of Eesti Laul
, the Estonian selection
for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
. The song went on to gain 6th place in the Eurovision final. For this project, Marilin Kongo and Mirjam Mesak joined the group to sing backing vocals.
. 21-year-old Nurmsalu has two passions – singing and violin playing and Urban Symphony has given her the chance to combine these. Ten years of violin studies in classical music have also taken her to the roots of Estonian folk music – for seven years, she played and sang in the folk group Pillipiigad giving concerts and performing at festivals all over Estonia and in Europe. For 3 years she has also been part of folk band Virre.
Johanna Mängel is 19 years old and cello studies have been part of her life for twelve years. Outside her classical music studies and owing to her inherent curiosity, Mängel has played the cello not only in various local and international orchestras, but also in rock bands – well-known Estonian bands Aides, Slide-Fifty, Vennaskond. Besides playing musical instruments, Mängel is interested in musical composition
, fashion and film, and she also writes critical reviews of various music events for music magazines.
The youngest member of the band is the 17-year-old Mari Möldre, who started practicing the cello already at the age of six. Despite her young age, she has always been dedicated to music, for besides cello playing she has been involved in singing and piano playing, taken part in various projects and been a part of several musical collectives. Numerous performances have taken her to different places in the world, including Australia. When she has time left over from school and music activities, Möldre takes an interest in architecture and drawing.
Mann Helstein is the viola player of Urban Symphony. She started her studies at the age of ten, learning to play the violin. By today, the 21-year-old Mann has as a member of various international orchestras travelled all over Europe. In addition, she is currently studying quality and environmental management.
The producer Sven Lõhmus
had previous Eurovision experience by writing the unsuccessful Estonian entry of "Let's Get Loud" for the Eurovision Song Contest 2005
, held in Kiev
that year. Marilin Kongo was 8th with her entry "Be 1st" in Eurolaul
2006, the Estonian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006
. The backing singer Mirjam Mesak supported Gerli Padar
with backing vocals on stage of Eurovision Song Contest 2007
.
Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
After discussions on whether Estonia should withdraw due to the Russian participation in the 2008 South Ossetia war in Georgia, Eesti Rahvusringhääling announced that, due to public demand, they will participate at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, to be held in Moscow.In August 2008 Estonian...
in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Eurovision Song Contest 2009
The Eurovision Song Contest 2009 was the 54th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest and was hosted by Russia after their win in 2008. It took place between 12 and 16 May 2009 at the Olympic Indoor Arena in Moscow, Russia....
with the song "Rändajad
Rändajad
"Rändajad" is a song by the Estonian band Urban Symphony, composed by Sven Lõhmus, and represented Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia....
", finishing in 6th place with 129 points. This is the best place for Estonia in the contest since 2002
Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002
The Estonian final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 was held on 26 January at the Linnahall in Tallinn, hosted by Marko Reikop and Karmel Eikner....
.
History
In autumn 2007, Sandra NurmsaluSandra Nurmsalu
Urban Symphony is an Estonian music group. It represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "Rändajad", finishing in 6th place with 129 points...
took part in the singing talent show
Talent show
A talent show is an event where participants perform their talent or talents of acting, singing, dancing, acrobatics, drumming, martial arts, playing an instrument, and other activities to showcase a unique form of talent, sometimes for a reward, trophy or prize...
called 2 takti ette, biennially held by the Eesti Televisioon
Eesti Televisioon
Eesti Televisioon is the national public television station of Estonia. It made its first broadcast on 19 July 1955.The bulk of ETV's funding comes from government grant-in-aid, around 15% of which is in turn funded by the fees paid by Estonian commercial broadcasters in return for their...
and broadcast nationwide. In a week of the contest, the contestants were tasked to form bands each on their own and each to produce a performance with it. Nurmsalu had studied the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
for two years in the Georg Ots
Georg Ots
Georg Ots, People's Artist of the USSR was an Estonian opera singer...
Music School and had previously arranged the song "Nothing Else Matters
Nothing Else Matters
"Nothing Else Matters" is a song by the American heavy metal band Metallica. It was released as the third single from its self-titled fifth studio album, Metallica. The song peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart as well as top-ten positions on many European charts...
" by Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
for a string set
String band
A string band is an old-time music or jazz ensemble made up mainly or solely of string instruments. String bands were popular in the 1920s and 1930s, and are among the forerunners of modern country music and bluegrass.-String bands in old-time music:...
of the school. Therefore she decided to use one again. Nurmsalu turned to her former school, where she was introduced to Mann Helstein playing the viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
, Johanna Mängel playing the cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
, a female contrabass
Contrabass
Contrabass refers to a musical instrument of very low pitch; generally those pitched one octave below instruments of the bass register...
player and a male keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
. The band re-scored the song "Hungry" by Kosheen
Kosheen
Kosheen are a British trip hop, breakbeat and rock group based in Bristol, England. The trio consists of producers Markee Substance and Darren Decoder , with singer and song writer Sian Evans...
and were pleased with the resulting televised and video recorded live performance. At the end of the series, Nurmsalu, Helstein and Mängel agreed to continue their collaboration. Mängel brought the new cello player Mari Möldre to the band. In the same while, Sven Lõhmus
Sven Lõhmus
Sven Lõhmus is an Estonian pop-composer, producer and lyricist.Established producer from Estonia. He has worked with leading artists of the Baltic States, including Vanilla Ninja , the Suntribe, the Urban Symphony. 3 times, in 2003, 2004, 2010, he won the award for "best author" to the "Eesti...
, a music producer invited the group to work with him. The first track the team completed was "Rändajad
Rändajad
"Rändajad" is a song by the Estonian band Urban Symphony, composed by Sven Lõhmus, and represented Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia....
" for the contest of Eesti Laul
Eesti Laul
Eesti Laul is the national selection process in Estonia for the Eurovision Song Contest. The contest was introduced in 2009, replacing the former Eurolaul festival, used since Estonia's first participation in Eurovision in 1993.The contest was introduced by ERR, the organisers of the contest, with...
, the Estonian selection
Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
After discussions on whether Estonia should withdraw due to the Russian participation in the 2008 South Ossetia war in Georgia, Eesti Rahvusringhääling announced that, due to public demand, they will participate at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, to be held in Moscow.In August 2008 Estonian...
for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Eurovision Song Contest 2009
The Eurovision Song Contest 2009 was the 54th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest and was hosted by Russia after their win in 2008. It took place between 12 and 16 May 2009 at the Olympic Indoor Arena in Moscow, Russia....
. The song went on to gain 6th place in the Eurovision final. For this project, Marilin Kongo and Mirjam Mesak joined the group to sing backing vocals.
Members
The singer of Urban Symphony is Sandra NurmsaluSandra Nurmsalu
Urban Symphony is an Estonian music group. It represented Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "Rändajad", finishing in 6th place with 129 points...
. 21-year-old Nurmsalu has two passions – singing and violin playing and Urban Symphony has given her the chance to combine these. Ten years of violin studies in classical music have also taken her to the roots of Estonian folk music – for seven years, she played and sang in the folk group Pillipiigad giving concerts and performing at festivals all over Estonia and in Europe. For 3 years she has also been part of folk band Virre.
Johanna Mängel is 19 years old and cello studies have been part of her life for twelve years. Outside her classical music studies and owing to her inherent curiosity, Mängel has played the cello not only in various local and international orchestras, but also in rock bands – well-known Estonian bands Aides, Slide-Fifty, Vennaskond. Besides playing musical instruments, Mängel is interested in musical composition
Musical composition
Musical composition can refer to an original piece of music, the structure of a musical piece, or the process of creating a new piece of music. People who practice composition are called composers.- Musical compositions :...
, fashion and film, and she also writes critical reviews of various music events for music magazines.
The youngest member of the band is the 17-year-old Mari Möldre, who started practicing the cello already at the age of six. Despite her young age, she has always been dedicated to music, for besides cello playing she has been involved in singing and piano playing, taken part in various projects and been a part of several musical collectives. Numerous performances have taken her to different places in the world, including Australia. When she has time left over from school and music activities, Möldre takes an interest in architecture and drawing.
Mann Helstein is the viola player of Urban Symphony. She started her studies at the age of ten, learning to play the violin. By today, the 21-year-old Mann has as a member of various international orchestras travelled all over Europe. In addition, she is currently studying quality and environmental management.
The producer Sven Lõhmus
Sven Lõhmus
Sven Lõhmus is an Estonian pop-composer, producer and lyricist.Established producer from Estonia. He has worked with leading artists of the Baltic States, including Vanilla Ninja , the Suntribe, the Urban Symphony. 3 times, in 2003, 2004, 2010, he won the award for "best author" to the "Eesti...
had previous Eurovision experience by writing the unsuccessful Estonian entry of "Let's Get Loud" for the Eurovision Song Contest 2005
Eurovision Song Contest 2005
The Eurovision Song Contest 2005 was the 50th Eurovision Song Contest, which was held at the Palace of Sports, Kiev, Ukraine. The winner was Greece's My Number One, written by Christos Dantis and Natalia Germanou and performed by Swedish-born Greek singer Elena Paparizou, who scored 230 points,...
, held in Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
that year. Marilin Kongo was 8th with her entry "Be 1st" in Eurolaul
Eurolaul
Eurolaul was an annual televised competition to select a song to represent Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest made by the Estonian Public Television Service ETV. For many years the competition differed from the national selections of most other countries in that the outcome was solely...
2006, the Estonian selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006
Eurovision Song Contest 2006
The Eurovision Song Contest 2006 was the 51st Eurovision Song Contest, held at the Olympic Indoor Hall in Athens, Greece on 18 May and 20 May 2006 . The hosting national broadcaster of the contest was Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi . The Finnish band Lordi won the contest with the song "Hard Rock...
. The backing singer Mirjam Mesak supported Gerli Padar
Gerli Padar
Gerli Padar is an Estonian singer who represented her country in Eurovision Song Contest 2007 with the song "Partners in Crime", it failed to make it through the semi-final stage...
with backing vocals on stage of Eurovision Song Contest 2007
Eurovision Song Contest 2007
The Eurovision Song Contest 2007 was the 52nd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It was won by first-time appearance as an independent country Serbia and was held at the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki, Finland from 10 May to 12 May. The host broadcaster was YLE.Finland earned the right to host...
.
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak positions | Album | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EST Estonia Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies... |
SWE |
FIN |
BEL (Vl) Ultratop Ultratop is an organization which generates and publishes the official record charts in Belgium, and it is also the name of most of those charts... |
SUI Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
GRE Greece Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe.... |
UK |
|||
| 2009 | "Rändajad Rändajad "Rändajad" is a song by the Estonian band Urban Symphony, composed by Sven Lõhmus, and represented Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, Russia.... " |
3 | 14 | 10 | 68 | 86 | 8 | 117 | TBA |
| "Päikese poole Päikese poole "Päikese poole" is the second single by the Estonian band Urban Symphony. The song premiered on 22 July 2009 in the Estonian radio Star FM. The track is composed by Sven Lõhmus. It was released digitally on 24 July 2009.-Chart positions:... " |
28 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010 | "Skorpion Skorpion (song) "Skorpion" is the third single by the Estonian band Urban Symphony. The song premiered on 12 March 2010 in the Eesti Laul. The track is composed by Sven Lõhmus.-External links:* in Estonian and in English... " |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released. | |||||||||