Estonian Calendar 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. Kadrilaulud (St. Catherine’s Day Songs) includes 4 songs about young women who visit the village farm houses in disguise blessing the households, begging and dancing. The tune on which the entire cycle is based was collected in southern Estonia, where refrains were common in regilaulud, ancient Estonian traditional songs. Texts are in Estonian and English singing translations by Ritva Poom are also provided.