In a nation as passionate about choral music as Estonia where excellent choral groups abound it is a real accomplishment for a choir to be considered one of the best but that is the lofty status of the Ellerhein Girls' Choir. This Grammy award winning choir was featured in the highly acclaimed movie "The Singing Revolution" where the ensemble is filmed in rehearsal along with exrtended interviews with the choir director Tiia Este-Loitme. For fans of girls choirs or directors looking for interesting repertoire this recording is a must have.

Songlist: Ave Maria, Quam Pulchra Es, Gratias Agamus Domino Deo Nostro, Examine Me Psalm 139, Oh, Peter, Go Ring Them Bell, Babylon's Fallin', Amazing Grace, Clara hallilaul, Uisutajad, Kevadtuul, Lehtivad pungad, Ohtune taevas, Toominga all, Kollane leek, Hiliskevadel, Ule taeva jooksevad pilved, Kanarbik, Sinu akna all tuvid, Kadakad

Estonian composer Veljo Tormis (1930-) emphasizes the role of verbal text and its message in his compositions, directed at the present, past and future of Estonian life. Written for men's chorus, "Visions of Estonia II" records in music the anxiety that was suppressed through the decades of Soviet repression. With "The Ballad of Mary's Land," composed in 1969, Tormis began a series of powerful large-scale choral compositions containing also his most famous work, "The Curse Upon Iron" for mixed chorus, written in 1972. "Reflections with Hando Runnel" (1981), is one of a series of short, sarcastic songs of protest he wrote during that period. "Days of Outlawry," with the subject of resistance fighting, was written for the banned film "The Outlaws;" "Journey of the War Messenger" and "Let The Sun Shine" take their texts from the Estonian National epic "Kalevipoeg." "Forget-me-not" is a national lament dedicated to former chief conductor Gustav Ernesada. Although none of these 23 songs is in English, we can feel the power and Tormis' deep feeling within this music through the performance of the Estonian National Male Choir.

Songlist: The ballad of Mary's Land, Reflections with Hando Runnel, Days of Outlawry, God Protect Us from War, Journey of the War Messenger, Let the Sun Shine!, Voices from Tammsaare's Herdboy Days, Forget-me-not, Men's Songs

The third collection under the title "Vision of Estonia" continues recording the work of Estonian composer Veljo Tormis by the veteran Estonian National Male Choir. All song titles and lyrics of the piece are in Estonian. These lyrics, their meanings, and the history of the composer, the choir, and this dramatic, powerful piece are included in the extensive liner notes. The deeply emotional composition, written under the thumb of the Soviet occupation of Estonia, is divided into 32 movements--from the eight parts of "Dialektilisi aforisme," all less than a minute in length, and the 9-minute "Muistse mere laulud" to the intense 2 -minute "Sottaminck." "Vision III" a difficult, eclectic work that explodes into non-vocal percussion and vocal outbursts of protest and pride. Luckily, it is being sung by one of the best all-male choirs in the world, who perform it with tremendous spirit and feeling. Some accompaniment.

Songlist: The Singer, Songs Of The Ancient Sea, Plague Memory, Feelin' Groovy (The 59th Street Bridge Song), Going To War, Dialectical Aphorisms, Song About Level Land, We Are Given, An Aboriginal Song, The Estonians Political Parties Game, Song About Keeping Together, Martinmas Songs, Christmas Is Coming, Shrovetide Songs, Three I Had Those Words Of Beauty

Veljo Tormis's timeless compositions draw inspiration from Estonia's ancient history, and these evocations of the past, influenced by folk musics of the Baltic region, are often mesmerizing in sheer physical power. There is nothing else in contemporary choral music that can be compared with "Curse Upon Iron", where the fierce declamations of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir are underpinned by the pounding pulse of a shaman's drum. At such moments, Tormis's music seems possessed, and even the quieter episodes - such as the runo-songs performed by two young sopranos - have an hypnotic insistency.

Songlist: How Can I recognize My Home, Singing Aboard Ship, Curse Upon Iron, The Singer's Childhood, Songs Of The Ancient Sea, The Bishop And The Pagan, Litany To Thunder, The Lost Geese

The Holst Singers are acclaimed as one of England's greatest non-professional choirs. The talent and commitment of the individual members and the leadership of their mercurial conductor, Stephen Layton, ensure that their performances are always of the very highest standards. Veljo Tormis (born 1930) is - along with Arvo Part - Estonia's most famous living composer, holding an almost mystic status in his home country. He is also the passionate and practical torch-bearer for folk-singing revival, and the integration of an ancient cultural inheritance into thoroughly modern, post-Soviet lives. Interestingly, he trained at the Moscow Conservatory and was steeped in Soviet instruction during his early musical life. His music is almost all written for choirs; few other composers have been so committed to one genre. Tormis's choral specialization marks him out from Bartok, Kodaly, Vaughan Williams and Grainger, whose pioneering interest in folksong was ultimately limited to the use of textless tunes in instrumental or orchestral works. For Tormis, the words and the music are inseparable. The Holst Singers have recently been invited to Estonia to perform Tormis's music - a great honor, and a mark of their mastery of this repertoire.

Songlist: Early summer's fairy tale, Soundlessly somewhere murmurings homeward, The grindstone game, The finger-binding game, The ship game, O, my gentle tender mother, Daughters of the Meadow Matron, The wave Rolls, Waking the birds, At Pasture, Shrovetide, Wee winkie mouse, Sang the father, sang the son, Singing aboard ship, It is late summer, Clouds are racing, Pale Light, Painfully red are the leaves, Wind over the barrens, Cold autumn night, Heather, I sing for my child, It's time for the little berry to sleep, Let the cradle swing!, Lulling, Childhood memory

A modern shaman is how Veljo Tormis (b.1930) has been described. In his large production, chiefly composed for a cappella choir, he utilizes ancient chants and magic charms, as well as the typically Estonian runic songs, regilaulud. Indeed Curse upon Iron, his best-known score, even includes a shaman drum. Much of the music of Tormis, who began composing during the 1950s, mirrors his steadfast devotion to an Estonian identity in the face of Soviet occupation, with traditional ways of life, such as farming and fishing, resonating in pieces such as Helletused - based on ancient herding calls - Spell upon Flax (from the three Shrovetide songs) and Songs of the Ancient Sea. But there are also works, such as the two Hamlet's Songs, that seem to echo the bleak mood of Soviet Estonia, while The Viru Oath is one of Tormis's most overtly political compositions, written in 1980 during the so-called 'stagnation period' in which the thaw following Stalin's death was halted. With Stars, from Kaksikpuhendus (Double Dedication), the disc closes on a more lyrical and personal note - another strand in the composer's rich repertoire. The informative liner notes to this selection of works for male-voice choir composed between 1962 and 1996 are by Mimi S. Daitz, author of a biography of Veljo Tormis. As she explains, even when Tormis does not use traditional tunes, he incorporates their scales and intervals into his melodies and harmonies, thus creating a unique sound. Divisions of voices into separate lines play an important part in Tormis's orchestration of voices, and another characteristic is his rhythmic ingenuity. The various demands this places on the performers are amply fulfilled by Cecilia Rydinger Alin and Orphei Drangar, described in Choir and Organ as 'a tremendous choir, with superb technique and an immense, expressive range'. Further variety is added by a number of guest soloists, including the internationally acclaimed soprano Elin Rombo.

Songlist: Incantation for a Stormy Sea, Once We Will Reappear, I Had Three Beautiful Words, Shrovetide Songs, Litany to Thunder, The Viru Oath, Childhood Memory - Herding Calls, (Curse upon Iron, Songs of the Ancient Sea, Hamlet's Songs, Double Dedication

Peninsula Women's Chorus : Nature Pictures   

On this recording, the PWC celebrates a close relationship with prominent Estonian composer, Veljo Tormis. Influenced by his deep conviction that ancient song traditions reflect a close connection to nature, the prolific Tormis gives us the four seasons in 36 miniatures of intense choral imagery in his evocative song cycles, Looduspildid (Nature Pictures). We are proud to present the first American recording of this cycle! This eclectic recording continues the theme with Karl Korte's "Spring", Chen Yi's "Looking at the Sea" and Samuel Barber's "To be Sung on the Water." Also included are Edward Elgar's "The Snow" and Kenneth Leslie's lovely "Cape Breton Lullaby," a PWC favorite.

Songlist: Day Break, On Hilissuvi (It is Late Summer) -Sugismaastikud (Autumn Landscapes), Ule Taeva Jooksevad Pilved ( Clouds Are Racing) -Sugismaastikud (Autumn Landscapes), Kahvatu (Pale Light) -Sugismaastikud (Autumn Landscapes), Valusalt Punased Lehed (Painfully Red Are The Leaves) -Sugismaastikud (Autumn Landscapes), Tuul Konnumaa Kohal ( Wind Over the Barrens) -Sugismaastikud (Autumn Landscapes), Kulm Sugisoo (Cold Autumn Night) -Sugismaastikud (Autumn Landscapes), Kanarbik (Heather) -Sugismaastikud (Autumn Landscapes), The Snow, In Meeres Mitten, Talvehommik (Winter Morning) -Talvemustrid (Winter Patterns), Kulm (Cold) -Talvemustrid (Winter Patterns), Tuisk (Blizzard) -Talvemustrid (Winter Patterns), Virmalised (Northern Lights) -Talvemustrid (Winter Patterns), Spring, Miniwanka, Looking at the Sea, Kevadtuul (Spring Wind) - Kevadkillud (Spring Sketches), Lehtivad Pungad ( Flowering Blossoms) - Kevadkillud (Spring Sketches), Ohtune Taevas (Evening Sky) - Kevadkillud (Spring Sketches), Toominga All (Under the Bird-Cherry Tree) - Kevadkillud (Spring Sketches), Kollane Leek (Yellow Flame) - Kevadkillud (Spring Sketches), Hiliskevad (In Late Spring) - Kevadkillud (Spring Sketches), La Ruisseau, To Be Sung On The Water, Pauailm (Dry Weather) - Suvemotiivid (Summer Motifs), Aike (Thunderstorm) - Suvemotiivid (Summer Motifs), Suveoo (Summer Night) - Suvemotiivid (Summer Motifs), Cape Breton Lullaby

Every recording has a story behind its genesis. In 2003 Estonian Composer Veljo Tormis heard the Portland State Chamber Choir while they were on tour in his country. Tormis was so taken with the brilliant artistry and expressive power of the ensemble he requested that Bruce Browne and his singers do a recording of his music sung in English. For almost two years the Singers, their conductor and the composer worked together on this project. Tormis was very prominent in the interpretation. He supervised the learning of the music in preparation for the Chamber Choir's appearance at the Northwest Convention of the American Choral Director's Association 2006. Veljo Tormis, On American Shores is a recording with a significance of strong integrity by both Composer and Artist. Bruce Browne is emeritus Professor of Music and Choir of the Vocal and Choral area at Portland State University. He is also Conductor Emeritus of the Portland Symphonic Choir and founder and director of the professional choir, Choral Cross-Ties. The Portland State Chamber Choir is recognized as one of the top University Chamber ensembles in the United States.

Songlist: St. John's Day Songs:, -Call to Midsummer Bonfire I, -Call to Midsummer Bonfire II, -Can't be Caught with a Gun, -Why St. John is Awaited, -St. John's Steed, -The Curse for Iron, -St. John's Song, Helletused, Three Estonian Game Songs:, -The Grindstone Game, -The Fingerbinding Game, -The Ship Game, Two Songs after Ernst Enno:, -Early Summer's Fairy Talk, -Soundlessly, Somewhere Murmuring Homeward, Three Songs from the Epic:, -Oh, My Gentle, Tender Mother, -Daughters of the Meadow Matron, -The Wave Rolls, Autumn Landscapes:, -It is Late in Summer, -Clouds are Racing, -Pale Light, -Painfully Red are the Leaves, -Wind over the Barrens, -Cold Autumn Night, -Heather, The Songster's Childhood, The Singer's Closing Words

Although Veljo Tormis is the second-most-famous modern Estonian composer (the most famous being Arvo Part), his music remains scarcely known in the west. Unlike Part, Tormis' work hasn't undergone a major stylistic shift; he has remained committed to using Estonian folk song as a basis for his music from the beginning of his career. He's not simply an arranger or transcriber, though. The folk influence may be overt, or principles of its structure and distinctive characteristics may be submerged in a thoroughly contemporary soundworld. Even the most clearly modern pieces have a sense of emotional gravity and primal power that set them apart as the work of an individual musical thinker. Choral music has always been Tormis' preferred medium, and he has written over 500 choral works. This small sampling of works for (or arranged for) men's voices demonstrates the power and originality of his imagination. There is a sense in which his work seems a-historical, the product of a real maverick; it's hard to pinpoint any classical tradition or earlier composers from which his sound might have been derived. Composers since have made some of Tormis' qualities sound commonplace, but he has been writing like this throughout his long career. Central to his distinctiveness is his use of texture and rhythm, as elements more prominent than melody or harmony; the melodies may not stay with you, but the power of the driving pulse and eccentric textures is unforgettable. Many of the works include what would technically be considered extended vocal techniques, but in this context sound more primal than modern -- panting, shouting, chanting, whispering, and whistling. Tormis also uses a hugely resonant shamanic drum in several pieces, and it contributes to the ritualistic, primitive atmosphere that some of his work creates. One of the most effective pieces recorded here is also his most famous, Raua needmine (Curse Upon Iron), which has a profound monumentality and a sense that a mysterious rite is being enacted. Svanholm Singers, directed by Sofia Soderberg Eberhard, performs this music as if it had it in its blood. The group shows remarkable assurance in singing not only with obvious discipline, but with the wildness the music requires. The sound is full, present, and immediate. Fans of modern choral music who aren't familiar with Tormis' music owe it to themselves to explore it, and this collection makes a terrific place to start.

Songlist: An Aboriginal Song, I'd Like to Sing a Song, Stars, Crosswind, Our Shadows (Once We Will Reappear), Forging the Sampo, The Bishop and the Pagan, Incantation for a Stormy Sea, Men's Song, Bundling Song, Betrothal Visit Song, Song of the Turkish War, Serf's Song, Dancing Song, Curse Upon Iron