Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Kaspars Putniņš

Marzi Nyman (guitar), Andre Maaker (7-string guitar), Annika Lõhmus (soprano), Ain Agan (electric guitar), Paul Daniel (electric guitar), Weekend Guitar Trio

Aints: Vitsa
Grünberg: Kas ma Sind leian? (Will I Find You?)
Jürjendal: See öö oli pikk (The Night Was Long)
Sööt: Vaikusestki vaiksem (Quieter than Silence)
Aints: … Teid täname ( … We Thank You)

This remarkable recording explores an unsuspected soundworld – that of guitars, electric and acoustic, and chorus, in new works by five contemporary Estonian composers, whose styles range from the primitivism of ancient Estonian magical incantations via plainsong-like meditation to electronic sampling. Ain Agan writes of this release: “The idea for this recording came about thanks to a guitar festival which takes place in the town of Viljandi in southern Estonia. As I was compiling the festival programme, I began to look for opportunities to broaden guitar music with other musical groups. First and foremost, I wanted to commission some new Estonian compositions. As I have been active in the world of guitar music as a producer and musician for decades, I have many contacts and I know what people are capable of. Hence it was easy to decide whom to engage in the project. For the choral contribution, I immediately thought about the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, which is known around the world for its sensitive interpretations of different genres…”