2009: Urban Symphony - Rändajad

Urban Symphony is a quartet consisting of Sandra Nurmsalu, Mann Helstein, Johanna Mängel and Mari Möldre. Their music style is quite distinctive, specialising in string arrangements. The formation of the group came about in 2007, when lead singer Sandra took part in a talent show called 2 Takti Ette on Eesti Televisioon. Participants had to form bands on the show and it was here that young Ms Nurmsalu met Mann Helstein and Johanna Mängel, who had attended the same school as her, the Georg Ots Music School. The band rearranged the song Hungry by Kosheen for the programme, and, thrilled with the result, decided to continue working together after 2 Takti Ette had ended. Johanna introduced a new member, Mari, to the band.

Sandra Nurmsalu is the frontfigure of the group. The 24 year old is an adept violin player as well as providing vocals for the group. Prior to forming Urban Symphony, she has 10 years of classical music studies behind her, having also previously performed in the groups Pillipiigad and Virre. 21 year old Johanna Mängel is the cellist of the group, an instrument she has studied for 12 years. Johanna is extremely versatile, having performed with cello in both classical orchestras on local and international level as well as in rock bands, such as Aides and Vennaskond. Mari Möldre is, besides being the newest addition, also the youngest member of the group at just 19 years old. Besides being the groups other cellist, she has also previously played the piano and sung. Apart from Urban Symphony, Mari has also been involved in various projects and musical outfits. Mann Helstein, 23 years old, plays the viola in the group. She has studied the violin for 10 years, and her passion for the instrument has brought her all over Europe, playing with numerous international orchestras.

Sven Lõhmus, the mastermind behind two other Estonian Eurovision entries (2005 & 2011), became interested in the group and invited them to come work with him. The partnership resulted in Rändajad, one of the first tracks to be completed, and the rest, as they say, is history. Since competing in Moscow, the group have released 3 singles – Rändajad (The Nomads), Päikese Poole (Towards the Sun) and Skorpion (Scorpion). Rändajad was a smash hit in Estonia, Päikese Poole a moderate success, making #28 on the charts.

Participant Profile

In the final

In the semi final