Step behind the scenes of the ÖÖ32 Quartet with our “Not So Serious Interview”! Discover the quirky secrets, hilarious moments, and personal superpowers of each quartet member — from pizzicato rock-star moves to dramatic page-turning. Get ready for a fun and candid look at life in the quartet.
1. What’s your “secret superpower” in the quartet?
Kristian: Playing pizzicato like a rock star (only cellists can do this)
Merike: Smiling at the audience while secretly panicking inside, and possibly also playing pizzicato like a rock star, but I can leave that to the cello ;)
Marusja: Dramatic page-turning
Adri: Talking loud and with drama while introducing a piece we are about to play, so that I can hide my trembling voice.
2. If your instrument had a personality, how would you describe it?
Kristian: It's like a Swiss army knife - practical and reliable, but every sound has such a velvety bass that it feels like it's flirting with the audience with every note.
Merike: I think it already has a personality. It’s quite Estonian I think, at the beginning it takes a while for it to start talking but once it does, it has a lot to say.
Marusja: Toxic femininity
Adri: Like a diva who demands attention.
3. Which is harder: playing in 7/8 time, or deciding where to eat after rehearsal?
Kristian: Eating,I would think about what to eat at least 7-8 times after a long rehearsal.
Merike: Definitely deciding where to eat! It is a neverending question in life.
Marusja: Where to eat after for sure!
Adri: Deciding where to eat after the rehearsal while playing in 7/8 time.
4. If the quartet suddenly became a rock band, what would be your stage name?
Kristian: "Fourplay"
Merike: (if you meant individually) Maybe I would let that develop over time and see what others started calling me.
Marusja: “Blink32”
Adri: “Accidental noise”
5. During rehearsal, you are more likely to…
Kristian: Accidentally start playing a completely different piece (Guilty as hell!)
Merike: Sit quietly but secretly judge everyone’s bowing, also trying to match everyone's bowings but not managing…
Marusja: Hurrying everyone up
Adri: Tell a terrible pun
6. What’s the weirdest or funniest gig memory you have so far?
Kristian: I once went on stage to play and accidentally forgot to bring my instrument.
Merike: I don’t know about funny, but I really remember one time when we were playing a gig on the 1st of January. Everyone was a bit tense because we had a lot of new pieces and Adrian broke one of his strings playing. Maria made a joke about how there is an old saying that when you break a string at the beginning of the year, it is good luck for the rest of the year. I think it is quite true now :)
Marusja: At Viru Folk festival - we had to change clothes at the altar of the church (while the priest was watching us).
Adri: Turning back 3 pages with the pedal during a concert while playing a solo. Not fun.
7. If your instrument could talk, what would it complain about the most?
Kristian: "Please clean me before use!"
Merike: “Give me more attention” or “I need cleaning”
Marusja: “Clean me bitch”
Adri: “Why is it so cold here?”
8. Which piece of music would you love to sneak into a concert, even if it makes no sense?
Kristian: "Song of summer solstice" nyckelharpa and kulning version.
Merike: I don’t have one at the moment. I think we pick pieces we want to play and then the ones we really really want to play are usually included in those.
Marusja: Imre Kalman´i “Die Czardasfürstin”
Adri: Bomfunk MC's “Freestlyer”
9. Coffee, tea, or… champagne? (be honest 😏)
Kristian: Gin
Merike: Good green tea!
Marusja: White wine, DOUBLE
Adri: Cold cold beer
10. Finish this sentence: “Playing in the ÖÖ32 Quartet feels like…”
Kristian: Playing in the ÖÖ32 Quartet is like tickling velvet on your skin; it gives you goosebumps, but so enjoyable that you want more.
Merike: Party with friends ❤️
Marusja: Eating a buffet at “four seasons” hotel.
Adri: I agree with Merike, totally like party with friends.
