Estonian Colendar Songs

The Estonian Calendar Songs (1966-67) is one of Tormis’s major works for chorus. It includes five cycles that can be performed individually: 1. Mardilaulud (Martinmas Songs) for male chorus, 2. Kadrilaulud (St. Catherine’s Day Songs) for female chorus, 3. Vastlalaulud (Shrovetide Songs) for male chorus, 4. Kiigelaulud (Swing Songs) for female chorus and 5. Jaanilaulud (St. John’s Day Songs) for mixed chorus. Each of the five groups of songs is concerned with the seasonal rituals and feasts of ancient farming people. The third group of songs, Vastlalaulud (Shrovetide Songs), was for Shrove Tuesday, the Christian beginning of Lent. The first song “Vistel-vastel" is often performed individually without the two songs which follow it. The texts are in Estonian and English singing translations by Ritva Poom are also provided.