Tormis: Vision of Kalevala

[The Absolute Sound]

<p>Veljo Tormis, born in 1930, is one of the best of the many great Estonian choral composers. This disc collects five pieces, the first of which is a half-hour setting of the Seventeenth Canto from the <em>Kalevala</em>, the Finnish epic. Kantele (Finnish zither), shaman drums, buzz-disk, anvils, and log drums accompany the choir; the music is effective, primal, often spooky, but very tonal. The Canto is mostly in an insistent 5/4, building and building, with some spoken dialogue. Harmonies are broadly painted, not subtle, but Tormis draws you in with brute force and an amazing sense of drama. <em>Curse upon Iron</em> is the most powerful piece here: the lower voices begin by chanting over a log drum, changing tone and vowels and sounding like a human didgeridoo. An old wise man sings in a clenched, deranged Gollum-like voice, pronouncing a curse on iron for the weapons formed from it. Tormis’ <em>Closing Words</em> is the last work here, and a perfect final statement: the singer has sung his piece, and reflects on his life and songs with reserve and dignity. Recorded sound is terrific—this would be a great, unusual sonic showcase. Texts and translations are included.*</p>


[Source: http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/tormis-vision-of-kalevala/]