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
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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.
Singer's Childhood by Veljo Tormis
Performer:
Raili Jaanson (Soprano)
Conductor:
Tönu Kaljuste
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1966; 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
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 1 Customer Review )
Very interesting CD October 20, 2012
By paul m. (east northport, NY) 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."
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