Veljo Tormis: Forgotten Peoples

Veljo Tormis (Composer), Tonu Kaljuste (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Conductor: Tonu Kaljuste
• Composer: Veljo Tormis
• Audio CD (February 1, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Ecm Records
• ASIN: B0000266WZ
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #331,585 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Waking The Birds (Lindude äratamine)

2. Day Of A Herdsboy (Karjametsas)

3. Shrove Tuesday (Vastlad)

4. Wee Winky Mouse (Unehiireke)

5. Sang The Father, Sang His Son (Laulis isa, laulis poega)

6. The Ritual Whisking Of The Bridge (Mõrsja vihtlemine)

7. The Arrival Of Wedding Guests (Pulmaliste saabumine)

8. Mockery Singing (Pilkelaulmine)

9. Distributing The Dowry Chest (Veimeraka jagamine)

10. Instructing The Newly-Weds (Noorpaari õpetamine)

See all 22 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Röntuska II

2. Röntuska I (A Dance Song)

3. A Roundelay (Ringmängulaul)

4. My Sister, My Little Cricket (Õekene, sirgukene)

5. Röntuska III

6. Chastushka I (A Village Party Song) (Kiigelaul I)

7. Chastushka II (Kiigelaul II)

8. Cuckoo And Cuckoo (Kukku ja kukku)

9. Röntuska V

10. Ending And Going Home (Lõpetus ja kojuminek)

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting..., June 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Veljo Tormis: Forgotten Peoples (Audio CD)

Few composers can so masterfully combine folk tradition with modern musical trends. Tormis combines the rythmic sounds of finno-ugric folk songs with the power of a choir to create a sound that is haunting and hypnotising. On the other hand, Tormis also provides these small disappearing nations with an invaluable service, by making sure their languages and their songs will not be forgotten. Their songs also include information on how these people lived, their life cycle, their rituals and traditions, etc. All of this information could have been lost had it not been for Tormis's outstanding efforts. I had the chance in the last few years to interact with some of the very few Livonians remaining in this world (one of the groups featured in this collection), and it was a great surprise for me to see that the songs included on Tormis's "Forgotten People" are still sung by them, and it was their surprise to see that I already knew some of those melodies. If you are looking for pure "ethnic" music, "Forgotten People" might not be up your alley, since these songs are stylized and sung by a choir. However the resulting sound is unique, and is a proud tribute to these forgotten people.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Inspiration, January 20, 2008

By 

Ed Luhrs (Long Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Veljo Tormis: Forgotten Peoples (Audio CD)

I wish a review could do this work justice. I think Tormis has written one of the greatest choral works of all time, without question. The pieces are written in languages similar to Estonian and Finnish. The cultures, along with the languages, are becoming erased by time, hence the bleak front cover with the fence falling into overgrown grass.

On the other hand, the music is playful and filled with variety. Strange? Absolutely, but in a truly warm and inviting way. There are complete lyrics and English translations, so you will understand everything that is going on.

This is one of the greatest musical discoveries I have ever made. No exaggeration. Any work that preserves history so distinctly deserves wide recognition. Spread the word.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, you should get this one, February 5, 2006

By 

William Roberts (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Veljo Tormis: Forgotten Peoples (Audio CD)

I haven't much to add to the previous review except to say that I agree with it. This is a fine choral collection, and one to play for that classical curmudgeon you know who insists good music isn't being written anymore. I've had this recording for over 4 years and it's one I keep taking off the shelf and relisten to.