ÖÖ32 Quartet Interview: Fun Stories & Behind the Scenes Secrets
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.
