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Tormis: Litany To Thunder, Etc / Kaljuste, Härma, Et Al


Release Date: 02/01/2000 
Label:  Ecm   Catalog #: 465223   Spars Code: DDD 
Composer:  Veljo Tormis
Performer:  Eve Härma,  Kadri Ratt,  Marrit Gerretz-Traksman,  Karin Sälumae,   ... 
Conductor:  Tönu Kaljuste
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 1 Hours 3 Mins. 

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Notes and Editorial Reviews

While many Western composers find Western musical traditions more a responsibility than an inspiration, the embattled cultural identities once swallowed up by the Soviet Union are emerging with a bracing fierceness. Estonian composer Veljo Tormis' reclamation of suppressed Finnish folk music of the Baltic regions began before Russia unraveled, and as heard here, it seems like a meeting of the Bulgarian Women's Choir and Arvo Pärt. Elaborate, spontaneously reckless musical constructs are built out of simple, often-repetitive folk melodies and verse, with each of the eight pieces for vocal soloists, choir, and occasional instrumentalists examining a particular musical problem. The disc begins and ends with pieces for two sopranos and Read more piano with text set to repetitive melodies of nursery-rhyme simplicity. The text's emotional content is conveyed by dramatically effective piano writing. The stylistic range of the other pieces varies from plainchant-style melodies and tangy, quartal harmonies straight out of Machaut to the arresting, 10-minute Curse Upon Iron in which the text is whispered, spoken, and intoned to the driving drum accompaniment of a shamanistic, pre-Christian ritual. Throughout, the music has an urgency to communicate that's sometimes lacking in Pärt, and an emotional honesty the Bulgarian Women's Choir misses in its more self-consciously exotic moments. [2/1/2000]

--David Patrick Stearns, ClassicsToday.com
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Works on This Recording

1.
Estonian-Runo Songs (2): How Can I Recognize My Home by Veljo Tormis
Performer:  Eve Härma (Soprano), Kadri Ratt (Soprano), Marrit Gerretz-Traksman (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1973-1974; Estonia 
 Date of Recording: 08/1998 
Venue:  Estonian Concert Hall, Tallin, Estonia 
Length: 4 Minutes 25 Secs. 
Language: Estonian 
2.
Singing Aboard Ship by Veljo Tormis
Performer:  Karin Sälumae (Alto)
Conductor:  Tönu Kaljuste
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1983; Estonia 
 Date of Recording: 08/1998 
Venue:  Estonian Concert Hall, Tallin, Estonia 
Length: 5 Minutes 30 Secs. 
Language: Finnish 
3.
Invocation of Iron by Veljo Tormis
Performer:  Toivo Kivi (Shaman Drum), Mati Turi (Tenor), Allan Vurma (Bass)
Conductor:  Tönu Kaljuste
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1972; Estonia 
 Date of Recording: 08/1998 
Venue:  Estonian Concert Hall, Tallin, Estonia 
Length: 9 Minutes 57 Secs. 
Language: Estonian 
4.
The Viru Oath by Veljo Tormis
Performer:  Raili Jaanson (Soprano)
Conductor:  Tönu Kaljuste
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1980; Estonia 
 Date of Recording: 08/1998 
Venue:  Estonian Concert Hall, Tallin, Estonia 
Length: 2 Minutes 53 Secs. 
Language: Estonian 
5.
Songs of the Ancient Sea by Veljo Tormis
Performer:  Mati Turi (Tenor)
Conductor:  Tönu Kaljuste
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1979; Estonia 
 Date of Recording: 08/1998 
Venue:  Estonian Concert Hall, Tallin, Estonia 
Length: 8 Minutes 42 Secs. 
Language: Estonian 
6.
The Bishop and the Pagan by Veljo Tormis
Performer:  Kaia Galina Urb (Soprano), Mikk Üleoja (Tenor), Tiit Kogermann (Tenor)
Conductor:  Tönu Kaljuste
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1992/1995; Estonia 
 Date of Recording: 08/1998 
Venue:  Estonian Concert Hall, Tallin, Estonia 
Length: 10 Minutes 3 Secs. 
Notes: This selection is sung in Latin and Finnish. 
7.
Litany to Thunder by Veljo Tormis
Performer:  Madis Metsamart (Bass Drum), Mati Turi (Tenor), Allan Vurma (Bass)
Conductor:  Tönu Kaljuste
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1974; Estonia 
 Date of Recording: 08/1998 
Venue:  Estonian Concert Hall, Tallin, Estonia 
Length: 5 Minutes 5 Secs. 
Language: Estonian 
8.
Estonian-Runo Songs (2): The Lost Geese by Veljo Tormis
Performer:  Kadri Ratt (Soprano), Eve Härma (Soprano), Marrit Gerretz-Traksman (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1973-1974; Estonia 
 Date of Recording: 08/1998 
Venue:  Estonian Concert Hall, Tallin, Estonia 
Length: 16 Minutes 21 Secs. 
Language: Estonian 

Sound Samples

Kust Tunnen Kodu
Leavas Lauldakse
Raua Needmine
Lauliku Lapsepoli
Muistse Mere Laulud
Piiskop Ja Pagan
Pikse Litaania
Haned Kadunud

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 1 Customer Review )
 Very interesting CD October 20, 2012 By paul m. (Simpsonville, SC) See All My Reviews "I took a chance with this CD because I already have some Tormis music, which I love. This one grows on you after several hearings and I can only describe it as being similar to Carmina Burana in a different language. I am really enjoying this and I'm sure you will also. Tormis, you did it again." Report Abuse
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