Veljo Tormis. Estonian Calendar Songs
I Martinmas Songs
II St Catherine’s Day Songs
III Shrovetide Songs
IV Swing Songs
V St John’s Day Songs

The Estonian National Male Choir has had an 80-year journey filled with challenges and accomplishments that have established its unique position in the choral music scene. The jubilee concert marks a  milestone with Veljo Tormis’ choral music taking center stage.

The grand “Estonian Calendar Songs” cycle (1966–1967), which celebrates special days in the Estonian folk calendar and almost comes across as an oratory, is central in the heritage of Veljo Tormis. The composer dedicated himself to researching and understanding Estonian folk songs and to transferring them into artistic music. This turned Tormis into a composer who is well-known and loved all around the world.

Inspired by Herbert Tampere’s collections of folk songs, Tormis composed an extensive choral cycle titled “Estonian Calendar Songs” (1966–67).

When composing “Calendar Songs”’ I realized for the first time the true integrity of the structure of regilaul (runosong). I understood once and for all that a regilaul must not be altered, as I had previously done with “Kihnu wedding songs.” The value of a regilaul lies in its own melody, its repetition, and its non-functionality in harmony…
– Veljo Tormis

The Estonian Calendar Songs premiered on April 6th, 1968, by the Male and Female Choirs of the Estonian Academy of Sciences under Arvo Ratassepp. Modestly, the composer remarked, “If there is any beauty in this music, it originates from the folk song.”

Concert is without intermission