Tormis VariationsEE

Tormis Variations is a sonic conversation in which ancient depth and contemporary freedom listen to one another. Veljo Tormis's folk song-based music enters into dialogue with modern jazz, improvisation, and electronic textures, shaped by spatial acoustics. Veljo Tormis is one of Estonia's most internationally influential choral composers, whose work introduced Finno-Ugric folk song to Western audiences as a living, ritualistic, and timeless musical language. His music is performed by choirs worldwide and continues to shape contemporary classical music.

On stage are Maarja Aarma (voice), Karl Madis Pennar (guitar, double bass), and Mikk Kaasik (keyboards), joined by the ETV Girls' Choir conducted by Aarne Saluveer.

Maarja Aarma is known for her deeply emotional voice and versatile arrangements, which bring folk song material into a contemporary context. Karl Madis Pennar is a versatile chamber and improvisation musician and composer, whose playing weaves together acoustic sensitivity and jazz freedom. Keyboard player and composer Mikk Kaasik creates a bridge between classical and contemporary sound language through his timbre and harmony. The ETV Girls' Choir brings the primal spirit of Tormis's music and the depth of choral sound to the concert series. Aarne Saluveer binds all these different sonic worlds into a unified, living dialogue with the spirit of Tormis.

The programme marks the 95th anniversary of Veljo Tormis and was created in collaboration with MYM.EE and the Veljo Tormis Virtual Centre, with support from the Estonian Cultural Endowment.