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Veljo Tormis

Born: 1930. Died: 2017. Lived in: Estonia

Tormis had a profound experience with choral music starting at an early age. His father was a choral director, organist, and music teacher. His delight in the contrasting timbres provided by the organ stops may also be connected to his later orchestration of choral textures, a hallmark of his mature style.

Tormis began his formal musical education in 1943 at the Tallinn Music School, but was interrupted by World War II and illness. In 1949, he entered the Tallinn Conservatory and continued his studies at the Moscow Conservatory (1951-1956). He quickly acquired teaching positions at the Tallinn Music School (1955-60) and the Tallinn Music High School (1962-66), but by 1969 was supporting himself exclusively as a freelance composer.

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Arrangements | Recordings

Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-15 of 15 items.


Veljo Tormis : Vespa Rajad (Vespian Paths) : SATB divisi : Songbook : 073999468410 : 9517574479 : 48000851

Veljo Tormis : Vespa Rajad (Vespian Paths)

From the series Forgotten Peoples

Songlist: OEKENE, SIGUKENE, VENESSE PURGIV NEIU, TAEVASED KOSILASED, LAKSIN MINA KIKOILASSE, KUKKU JA KUKKU, LAKSIN MINA VEELE, KIISE-MIISU, LAULDA TEILE LAULUKE, KUS SA TANA MAGASID, MIS TEIL TEHAKSE, RONIS HARG KUUSE OTSA, VAGISI MEHELE, AIUTUS, AINUS POEG, TUTU-LUTU KARJANE

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Voicing: SATB divisi | 2963b | Songbook | $29.95 ON SALE $20.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis : Ingrian Evenings : SATB divisi : Songbook : 073999162868 : 9517574460 : 48016286

Veljo Tormis : Ingrian Evenings

Contents: Röntyshkä (Dance Song) I - Röntyshkä II - Röntyshkä III - Röntyshkä IV - Röntyshkä V - Chastushka (Jocular Song) I - Chastushka II - Roundelay - Ending and Going Home.

Songlist: RONTYSHKA (DANCE SONG), RONTYSHKA II, RONTYSHKA III, CHASTUSHKA (JOCULAR SONG), CHASTUSHKA II, ROUNDELAY, RONTYSHKA IV, RONTYSHKA V, ENDING AND GOING HOME

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Voicing: SATB divisi | 4258b | Songbook | $25.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis  : 17 Estonian Wedding Songs : SATB : Songbook : 48001002

Veljo Tormis : 17 Estonian Wedding Songs

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Voicing: SATB | 4393b | Songbook | $16.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis : God Protect Us From War : TTBB : Songbook : 073999637458 : 48016259

Veljo Tormis : God Protect Us From War

Veljo Tormis is an Estonian composer, regarded to be one of the greatest living choral composers and one of the most important composers of the 20th century in Estonia. Internationally, his fame arises chiefly from his extensive body of choral music, which exceeds 500 individual choral songs, most of it a cappella. The great majority of these pieces are based on traditional ancient Estonian folksongs (regilaulud), either textually, melodically, or merely stylistically. This work for men's voice is challenging yet very worthwhile.

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Voicing: TTBB | 7049b | Songbook | $10.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis : Autumn Landscapes : SSAA : Songbook : 073999779851 : 48000917

Veljo Tormis : Autumn Landscapes

Veljo Tormis is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples. For female voices.

Songlist: On hilissuvi (It is Late Summer), Ule taeva jooksevad pilved (Clouds are Racing), Kahvatu valgus (Pale Light), Valusalt punased lehed (Painfully Red are the Leaves), Tuul konnumaa kohal (Wind Over the Barrens), Kulm sugisoo (Cold Autumn Night), Kanarbik (Heather)

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Voicing: SSAA | 7417b | Songbook | $16.95 ON SALE $15.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis : Winter Patterns : SSAA : Songbook : 073999162707 : 48016270

Veljo Tormis : Winter Patterns

Veljo Tormis is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples. For female voices.

Songlist: Talvehommik (Winter Morning), Kulm (Cold), Tuisk (Blizzard), Virmalised (Northern Lights - Aurora borealis)

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Voicing: SSAA | 7418b | Songbook | $16.95 ON SALE $15.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis : Spring Sketches : SSAA : Songbook : 073999483291 : 48016268

Veljo Tormis : Spring Sketches

Veljo Tormis is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples. For female voices.

Songlist: Kevadtuul (Spring Wind), Lehtivad pungad (Flowering Blossoms), Ohtune taevas (Evening Sky), Toominga all (Under the Bird-cherry Tree), Kollane leek (Yellow Flame), Hiliskevad (In Late Spring)

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Voicing: SSAA | 7419b | Songbook | $10.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis : Summer Motifs : SSAA : Songbook : 073999925432 : 48016269

Veljo Tormis : Summer Motifs

Veljo Tormis is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples. For female voices.

Songlist: Pouailm (Dry Weather, Aike (Thunderstorm, Suveoo (Summer Night)

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Voicing: SSAA | 7420b | Songbook | $12.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis : Men's Songs (Meestelaulud) : TTBB : Songbook : 888680604394 : WW1602

Veljo Tormis : Men's Songs (Meestelaulud)

Perhaps some of the most exciting works for men's chorus that exist in our repertoire today. Iconic Estonian composer Veljo Tormis celebrates the tradition of "runosongs," music that has been passed down through generations. These dynamic works use a minimalistic compositional style reminicent of Estonian folksong. Simple in construction and unbelievably dynamic - and often humorous - in sound. Ten songs included in this collection.

Songlist: Mens Songs, Bundling Song, Visit Song, Drinking Song, Song of the Turkish War, Sailor's Song, Serf's Song, Dancing Song, Bawdy Song, Village Song

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Voicing: TTBB | 7951b | Songbook | $6.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis : Autumn Landscapes : SATB : Songbook : 073999616422 : 48000919

Veljo Tormis : Autumn Landscapes

Veljo Tormis (b. 1930) is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples.

Songlist: On hilissuvi (It is Late Summer), Ule taeva jooksevad pilved (Clouds are Racing), Kahvatu valgus (Pale Light), Valusalt punased lehed (Painfully Red are the Leaves), Tuul konnumaa kohal (Wind Over the Barrens), Kulm sugisoo (Cold Autumn Night), Kanarbik (Heather)

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Voicing: SATB | 9313b | Songbook | $16.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis : Karelian Destiny : Mixed 5-8 Parts : Songbook : 073999077032 : 9517574487 : 48000849

Veljo Tormis : Karelian Destiny

Veljo Tormis (b. 1930) is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples. 'Karelian Destiny is from the "Forgotten People" Series

Songlist: The Weeping Maiden, The Suitors from the Sea, As a Serf in Viru, Oak-feller, A Lullaby

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Voicing: Mixed 5-8 Parts | 9314b | Songbook | $26.95 ON SALE $25.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis : Four Estonian Lullabies : SATB : Songbook : 073999667431 : 48001003

Veljo Tormis : Four Estonian Lullabies

Veljo Tormis (b. 1930) is recognized especially for his vocal and choral works. For him, music begins with words; he does not have "purely musical" ideas. Tormis is a real master of large-scale choral composition. His music is often connected with ancient folk songs of Estonian and other Balto-Finnic peoples.

Songlist: Laulan lapsele (I Sing for My Child), Marjal aega magada (It's Time for the Little Berry to Sleep), Lase kiik kaia! (Let the Cradle Swing!), Aiutus (Lulling)

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Voicing: SATB | 9315b | Songbook | $11.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis : The Bishop and the Pagan : TTBB : Songbook : 073999814620 : 9517575548 : 48000854

Veljo Tormis : The Bishop and the Pagan

The Story of the Bishop and the Pagan, drawn from musical documents and folklore, tells of the death of the British warrior and Christian missionary Bishop Henry at the hands of the Finnish peasant farmer Lalli near the town of Turku (Abo) in the winter of 1158. By a fortunate and unusual historical circumstance, the viewpoints of both sides have been preserved: a written Latin Gregorian chant "The Sequence Of Saint Henry" documents the British Christian side, and numerous folk songs represent the event as seen by the Finnish pagan. A fascinating and rewarding work for unaccompanied male voices.

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Voicing: TTBB | 9330b | Songbook | $16.95 ON SALE $14.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis : Singing Aboard Ship : SATB : Songbook : 073999329254 : 48000816

Veljo Tormis : Singing Aboard Ship

Beneath the apparent simplicity and charm lies a richness and complexity that rewards. Tormis' choral works marry traditional Estonian folk melodies with contemporary but accessible harmonies.

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Voicing: SATB | 9645b | Songbook | $10.95 | A Cappella


Veljo Tormis : Songs of the Ancient Seas : TTBB : Songbook : 073999214819 : 48016280

Veljo Tormis : Songs of the Ancient Seas

The texts for this composition have been compiled from runic songs about the sea, using source material from Haljala, Kuusalu, Ridala and Muhu in Estonia. The written transcriptions of the texts, translated from the vernacular, were made in 1973-74.

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Voicing: TTBB | 9648b | Songbook | $12.95 ON SALE $11.95 | A Cappella


Individual Folios

Displaying 1-3 of 3 items.


Dancing Song (Tantsulaul) : TTBB : Veljo Tormis : Songbook : WW1604 : 888680604424

Veljo Tormis : Dancing Song (Tantsulaul)

From the collection, Men's Songs, this is a humorous account from a man who fancies himself a good dancer. A stunning melody enhanced by clapping, stomping and other various sounds, choirs are encouraged to add movement, facial expression and other dramatic components.

Country: Estonia

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Voicing: TTBB | Sheet Music | $2.10 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| WW1604


Serf's Song (Teomehe-laul) : TTBB : Veljo Tormis : Sheet Music : WW1605 : 888680604431

Veljo Tormis : Serf's Song (Teomehe-laul)

From the collection, Men's Songs, this stunning melody is simply and beautifully set. The sad poem speaks of a poor man who longs to lay his burdens down and make haste for the Creator's realm. A good contrast to other, more humorous works in the set.

Country: Estonia

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Voicing: TTBB | Sheet Music | $2.30 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| WW1605


Song of the Turkish War (Turgi Soja Laul) : TTBB : Veljo Tormis : Sheet Music : WW1603 : 888680604417

Veljo Tormis : Song of the Turkish War (Turgi Soja Laul)

From the collection, Men's Songs, this original uses a comic blend of Estonian and Russian to paint the picture of a soldier telling of his larger-than-life experience in war. Uses whistling and shouting to enhance the image.

Country: Estonia

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Voicing: TTBB | Sheet Music | $2.10 | A Cappella |
(Minimum order 4 copies)
| WW1603

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