#4704, Music Based on Estonian Folk Song

Hear music somehow rooted in Estonian folk, whether that’s actual folk song, or music using traditional instruments, plus samples, looping, and/or a chorus from singer/violinist/composer Maarja Nuut, and bands Trad Attack! and Puuluup.

We’ll focus in on the Baltic nation of Estonia for this show, including work by Estonian singer/violinist Maarja Nuut whose music resides in a place where minimalism and experimental music meet the village. Listen to some of her music which combines traditional dance tunes, songs, and stories with live electronics, and uses loops with repetition and variation. 

Then, there’s music by the late Estonian composer Veljo Tormis, who wrote a lot of pieces based on traditional Estonian folklore, integrating this rich cultural inheritance by combining original choral passages and with ancient folk tunes. Also, hear music from Trad Attack!, an Estonian folk band of bagpipes, guitar & drums who also sample field recordings of long vanished village voices, and build new originals.

Listen to a tune by Estonian traditional musician and educator Cätlin Mägi (Jaago) who plays bagpipes, parmupilli (jaw harp), and flutes. Hear her work, which loops the “voices” of multiple jaw harps into a jaw harp orchestra to accompany layers of her own voice. Then, hear Estonian “neo-zombie-post-folk” of the duo Puuluup, made with the traditional string instrument called a kannel (aka talharpa). Puuluup’s two singers - Ramo Teder (aka Pastacas) and Marko Veisson – also use looping technology to create layers of kannel and vocal harmonies. [Ed. note: They’ve also got great dance moves.] That, and more. - Caryn Havlik

Program #4704, Music Based on Estonian Folk Song

ARTIST: Trad.Attack!
WORK: Päevake (Sun) [:22] 
RECORDING: Kullakarva
SOURCE: tradattackmusic.bandcamp.com
INFO: http://tradattack.ee/bio-en

ARTIST: Veljo Tormis, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tõnu Kaljuste
WORK: Veljo Tormis: Swing songs: The Swing Asks For Gifts [2:03] 
RECORDING: Casting A Spell
SOURCE: Virgin Classics
INFO: veljotormis.com/en

ARTIST: Greip
WORK: Vihma Loits (Rain Spell) [2:59] 
RECORDING: Üks Viis
SOURCE: Greip
INFO: Try Discogs.com

ARTIST: Duo Ruut
WORK: VERESÕNAD [5:16] 
RECORDING: Kulla kerguseks EP
SOURCE: Duo Ruut
INFO: https://www.duoruut.ee/

ARTIST: Trad.Attack!
WORK: Päevake (Sun) [5:57] 
RECORDING: Kullakarva
SOURCE: tradattackmusic.bandcamp.com
INFO: http://tradattack.ee/bio-en

ARTIST: Maarja Nuut, Girls Choir Ellerhein
WORK: Veere, veere paevakene [5:25]
RECORDING: Soolo
SOURCE: maarjanuut.bandcamp.com
INFO: maarjanuut.com

ARTIST: Puuluup
WORK: Suuta mu lumi [4:36] 
RECORDING: Suuta mu lumi
SOURCE: puuluup.bandcamp.com
INFO: puuluup.ee

ARTIST: Cätlin Mägi (Jaago)
WORK: Sookraakadi [4:36] 
RECORDING: Mu Pill Parmupill (My Harp – My Heart)
SOURCE: catlin.ee/cd3/
INFO: youtube.com/watch?v=3kfbTaGthMk

ARTIST: EstBel
WORK: Peterburi [4:15] 
RECORDING: Saar
SOURCE: Trad Records
INFO: https://estbel.ee

ARTIST: Trad.Attack!
WORK: Kullakarva [10:44] 
RECORDING: Kullakarva
SOURCE/INFO: tradattackmusic.bandcamp.com  

ARTIST: Maarja Nuut
WORK: Kargus [3:56]
RECORDING: Une Meeles
SOURCE: maarjanuut.bandcamp.com
INFO: maarjanuut.com