From the series Forgotten Peoples

Songlist: OEKENE, SIGUKENE, VENESSE PURGIV NEIU, TAEVASED KOSILASED, LAKSIN MINA KIKOILASSE, KUKKU JA KUKKU, LAKSIN MINA VEELE, KIISE-MIISU, LAULDA TEILE LAULUKE, KUS SA TANA MAGASID, MIS TEIL TEHAKSE, RONIS HARG KUUSE OTSA, VAGISI MEHELE, AIUTUS, AINUS POEG, TUTU-LUTU KARJANE

Contents: Röntyshkä (Dance Song) I - Röntyshkä II - Röntyshkä III - Röntyshkä IV - Röntyshkä V - Chastushka (Jocular Song) I - Chastushka II - Roundelay - Ending and Going Home.

Songlist: RONTYSHKA (DANCE SONG), RONTYSHKA II, RONTYSHKA III, CHASTUSHKA (JOCULAR SONG), CHASTUSHKA II, ROUNDELAY, RONTYSHKA IV, RONTYSHKA V, ENDING AND GOING HOME

Veljo Tormis is an Estonian composer, regarded to be one of the greatest living choral composers and one of the most important composers of the 20th century in Estonia. Internationally, his fame arises chiefly from his extensive body of choral music, which exceeds 500 individual choral songs, most of it a cappella. The great majority of these pieces are based on traditional ancient Estonian folksongs (regilaulud), either textually, melodically, or merely stylistically. This work for men's voice is challenging yet very worthwhile.

Veljo Tormis is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples. For female voices.

Songlist: On hilissuvi (It is Late Summer), Ule taeva jooksevad pilved (Clouds are Racing), Kahvatu valgus (Pale Light), Valusalt punased lehed (Painfully Red are the Leaves), Tuul konnumaa kohal (Wind Over the Barrens), Kulm sugisoo (Cold Autumn Night), Kanarbik (Heather)

Veljo Tormis is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples. For female voices.

Songlist: Talvehommik (Winter Morning), Kulm (Cold), Tuisk (Blizzard), Virmalised (Northern Lights - Aurora borealis)

Veljo Tormis is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples. For female voices.

Songlist: Kevadtuul (Spring Wind), Lehtivad pungad (Flowering Blossoms), Ohtune taevas (Evening Sky), Toominga all (Under the Bird-cherry Tree), Kollane leek (Yellow Flame), Hiliskevad (In Late Spring)

Veljo Tormis is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples. For female voices.

Songlist: Pouailm (Dry Weather, Aike (Thunderstorm, Suveoo (Summer Night)

Perhaps some of the most exciting works for men's chorus that exist in our repertoire today. Iconic Estonian composer Veljo Tormis celebrates the tradition of "runosongs," music that has been passed down through generations. These dynamic works use a minimalistic compositional style reminicent of Estonian folksong. Simple in construction and unbelievably dynamic - and often humorous - in sound. Ten songs included in this collection.

Songlist: Mens Songs, Bundling Song, Visit Song, Drinking Song, Song of the Turkish War, Sailor's Song, Serf's Song, Dancing Song, Bawdy Song, Village Song

Veljo Tormis (b. 1930) is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples.

Songlist: On hilissuvi (It is Late Summer), Ule taeva jooksevad pilved (Clouds are Racing), Kahvatu valgus (Pale Light), Valusalt punased lehed (Painfully Red are the Leaves), Tuul konnumaa kohal (Wind Over the Barrens), Kulm sugisoo (Cold Autumn Night), Kanarbik (Heather)

Veljo Tormis (b. 1930) is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples. 'Karelian Destiny is from the "Forgotten People" Series

Songlist: The Weeping Maiden, The Suitors from the Sea, As a Serf in Viru, Oak-feller, A Lullaby

Veljo Tormis (b. 1930) is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples.

Songlist: Laulan lapsele (I Sing for My Child), Marjal aega magada (It's Time for the Little Berry to Sleep), Lase kiik kaia! (Let the Cradle Swing!), Aiutus (Lulling)

The Story of the Bishop and the Pagan, drawn from musical documents and folklore, tells of the death of the British warrior and Christian missionary Bishop Henry at the hands of the Finnish peasant farmer Lalli near the town of Turku (Abo) in the winter of 1158. By a fortunate and unusual historical circumstance, the viewpoints of both sides have been preserved: a written Latin Gregorian chant "The Sequence Of Saint Henry" documents the British Christian side, and numerous folk songs represent the event as seen by the Finnish pagan. A fascinating and rewarding work for unaccompanied male voices.

Beneath the apparent simplicity and charm lies a richness and complexity that rewards. Tormis' choral works marry traditional Estonian folk melodies with contemporary but accessible harmonies.

The texts for this composition have been compiled from runic songs about the sea, using source material from Haljala, Kuusalu, Ridala and Muhu in Estonia. The written transcriptions of the texts, translated from the vernacular, were made in 1973-74.