Track Listing

1. Cyrillus Kreek (from Psalms of David, 1923): Psalm 104 (Bless the Lord, O my soul)
2. Happy is the Man (from Psalms 1, 2 & 3)
3. Psalm 141 (O Lord, I call to Thee)
4. Psalm 121 (The sun will not strike you by day)
5. Hear my prayer, O Lord (1986), after Henry Purcell (Sven-David Sandstrøm)
6. Einojuhani Rautavaara: Lorca Suite Op. 72 (1973): Canción de jinete (The Rider)
7. El Grito (The Scream)
8. La luna asoma (The Moon)
9. Malagueña
10. Veljo Tormis: Latvian Bourdon Songs (1982): Garais sauciens (Song of meeting)
11. Rota dziesma (Spring song)
12. Kazu apdzieda\232anas (Wedding song contest)
13. Seru dziesma (Funeral song)
14. Linu druva (The Flax field)
15. Ligo dziesma (Midsummer song)
16. Sven-David Sandstrøm: Es ist genug (It is enough) (1986)
17. Arvo Pärt: ...which was the son of... (2000)
18. Peteris Vasks: Dona nobis pacem (Grant us peace) (1996/97)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #46515 in Music
• Released on: 2003-02-11
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .25 pounds

Amazon.com
This remarkable collection of choral music by Baltic composers opens our ears to both their similarities and differences. There are folk influences aplenty (from Veijo Tormis in particular), but also some surprises. Sven-David Sandstrom's "Hear my prayer" takes Purcell's piece of the same name as a jumping-off point, and although his treatment is modern, the lamentation remains vivid. Arvo Part's history of Jesus' genealogy, sung in English, is almost fun in its seemingly endless repetition of "which was the son of," while Rautavaara's four-part, seven-minute Lorca Suite is a fascinating study in miniatures. Vasks's "Dona nobis pacem" (the only piece with orchestral accompaniment) has a hypnotic downward vocal sequence that contrasts with the rising strings. The other works hold the interest as well, and the ubiquitous and gifted Paul Hillier leads the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir in lush performances. Fans of the great Eastern choral tradition won't want to miss this. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Impeccable performances, soothing music
The very first time I heard a recording from this CD was on NPR several years ago, and it featured excerpts from the Cyrillus Kreek piece. Needless to say, I was in awe of what I heard and consequently had to get the CD. It was one of the most worthwhile purchases I ever made!

The choir performs with ubiquitous energy and notable vigor when a selection would require it. Furthermore, there are many contrasting works featured on this disc, from the ethereal Cyrillus Kreek selection, to the folk-inspired Spring Song and other, more avant-garde repertoire.

It may be the case that one will not instantly fall in love with every single track on this disc, but I would make a case for the fact that there are a number of universally appealing choral works on this disc that, next to the somewhat affordable price, would certainly warrant the purchase!

Great 20th century choral music
This first volume of Baltic Voices, performed by the highly acclaimed Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, is a pure enjoyment for any fans of choral music as well as those interested in folk music. All pieces on this CD were pretty much written in the 20th century, starting with Cyrillus Kreek's enchanting Psalms of David (1923), sung in Estonian, and ending with Arvo Pärt's world premiere recording of "...which was the son of..." (2000)-- a fascinating, yet simple, depiction of the geneaology of Jesus from the Gospel of Luke (performed in English). Veljo Tormis does a beautiful job blending the old folk music themes with some new motives in the Latvian Bourdon Songs (1982). And there is much more to discover from other composers... The singing, the sound, and the recording are simply beautiful. The accompanying booklet offers additional details as well as translations.

Some enchanting music
Several tracks on this album are absolutely incredible.

I heard the first track (Bless the Lord, O My Soul) by chance on NPR one evening and was immediately spellbound by its unique phrasing.

The last track (Dona Nobis Pacem), aided by a climactic interplay of voice and string, stung me with a beautiful sensation which reaffirmed to my soul that music captures the reason for being alive.

As a newcomer to choral music, I cannot compare this work to many others. However, I can wholeheartedly declare that this album will appeal to those that kneel in humility to the beauty of the human voice.