AWAKE, MY HEART!

ARSIS - English Handbell Ensemble

"Awake, My Heart!"

ARTIST: ARSIS - English Handbell Ensemble
TITLE: "Awake, My Heart"
ORDER NO.: 02732
RELEASE: August 2003
PRICE: EUR 16,40
GENRE: Intrumental-Folk

ARTIST: ARSIS-English Handbell Ensemble
TITLE: "Awake, My Heart!“
Arranged by Tõnu Kõrvits
GENRE: Instrumental Folk
LABEL: CCn'C
ORDER NO.: 02732
Release August 200

UPC 7 23091 02732 8

ARCHAIC AND SACRED FOLK SONGS FROM ESTONIAN VILLAGES
-arranged for an English Handbell Ensemble-

The bountiful heritage of Estonian folklore dates back to the dawn of ancient times and has disappeared from the active use since long ago. Luckily a lot of it has been preserved and the archived collections of folklore can rather be seen as a chest of treasure where one can always find something to decorate the culture of newer times. Thus, the old folk songs often get a new life sometimes imitating their ancient sound, sometimes in a completely new form, as a synthesis of archaic and modern means of expression, the composer with his or her individual talent being here a co-author like folksingers in the old times.

The author of the music on the current CD, Tõnu Kõrvits, has turned to the most archaic layer of Estonian folk songs and arranged them for the English Handbell Ensemble ARSIS using different means of harmony polyphonic development ("Whoops And Calls"), cluster chords ("Grow Into Shepherd") and modern harmony of pop music ("Come Little Coddy").

The earliest compositions based on Estonian folk tunes appeared in the second half of the 19th century being influenced by German Liedertafel choral songs. Due to the fact that Estonian folk song is mostly monodic, most of the tunes fit better into different music styles and means than into polyphony based on functional harmony. The synthesis of the means of expression of archaic folk music, contemporary modern musical language and composers own free creative idea was characteristic of the works of Mart Saar and Cyrillus Kreek at the beginning of the 20th century and also of the style of Eduard Tubin, Veljo Tormis and Ester Mägi in the second half of the 20th century.
Characteristic to Estonian folk songs are the rich system of poetic patterns and the lyrical introverted feeling. The majority here are the songs of women and young maidens. The thoughts and feelings are hidden behind beautiful poetic images.
The musical material selected by Tõnu Kõrvits interweaves shepherd's songs with lullabies, fisher songs and mystical stories while two songs from the Christian tradition frame the program of the CD.

It should be added: It is recommeded that the listener turn down the volume so as to enjoy the subtle nuances of the beautiful bell sounds - which sometimes reach extremely high frequencies. A relaxing ambience enhances the quality of listening.

ARSIS - HANDBELL ENSEMBLE - ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: AIVAR MÄE
Bells and chimes are probably the oldest instruments that many Asian and European nations knew already in the ancient times. The roots of these musical instruments date back to the 13th and the 14th centuries when it was not rare that differently tuned church bells called people to the service playing beautiful melodies.

Arsis Handbell Ensemble has been established in 1991 by AIVAR MÄE.
By now it ownes one of the most perfect sets in the world, which includes bells of seven octaves. All the handbells in the set have been made in the USA by Malmark Inc. Bell Factory. The ensemble, with its eight members, has toured in different places all over the world. One of the most exotic places was the Republic of South Africa where Arsis participated in the Eisteddfod festival and was awarded the Grand Prix. In 2001, Arsis was nominated as the best handbell ensemble in the world.

There is another recording of the Ensemble on "Supreme Silence" (CCn'C 00182) with the Estonian male choir RAM and the Hungarian folksinger Irén Lovász, conducted by Kristjan Järvi. (www.ccnc.com)

TÕNU KÕRVITS (1969)
Tõnu Kõrvits (1969) graduated in musical composition from the class of Alo Pôldmäe in Tallinn and continued his studies at the Estonian Acadamy of Music under Raimo Kangro and Prof. Jaan Rääts. Within his rich oeuvre of musical compositions - which have been performed in concerts quite extensively - we find a change in style from a simple post romantic tonality in his earlier works to a vivid and passionate "Contemporary Romanticis" with complex and finely woven orchestral textures. At the same time Tõnu Kõrvits is the "Quincy Jones of Estonian Popmusic" - a prominent arranger and producer who is often in demand.

Dr. Ingrid Rüütel (in extracts), translated by Tiina Jokinen
(German Translation: Christian Salvesen)
For a more elaborate vita of the composer and the complete text by Dr. Rüütels see: www.ccnc.com "media service".

Titles:

1) Mu süda, ärka üles! / Awake, My Heart! (from Pühalepa) 3:18
2) Neiu hääl / A Maiden's Voice (from Räpina) 2:49
3) Ladvad lindudele / Treetops To The Birds (from Võnnu) 1:41
4) Kasva karjaseks / Grow Into Shepherd (from Hargla) 1:56
5) Tule tursakene / Come Little Coddy (from Muhu island) 3:03
6) Lapse kiigutamise laul / A Baby Rocking Song (from Loksa) 4:31
7) Tuule tuba / The Chamber Of The Wind (from Koeru) 3:50
8) Huiked ja helletused / Whoops And Calls (from Avinurme, Jõelähtme, Ambla, Tarvastu) 3:38
9) Maga, maga, Matsikene / Sleep, Sleep, Little Mats (from Karuse) 4:02
10) Laulud lutsu suust / Songs Sung By The Burbot (from Kodavere) 2:56
11) Äiutused / Lullabies (from Rõngu, Misso, Luhamaa) 3:31
12) Veere, päike! / Roll, Sun! (from Kodavere) 3.20
13) Ussi naine / The Wife Of A Snake (from Meremäe) 6:45
14) Tudu, tuvikene / Sleep, My Dove (from Hageri) 4:26
15) Karja kojukutse / Calling The Cattle Home (from Rõuge) 2:47
16) Nüüd on see päev ju lõppenud / To Its End The Day Has Come (from Rapla) 2:55
Total time 56:35

All titles DP/arranged by Tõnu Kõrvits
Published by Erdenklang Musikverlag and Estonian Record Productions
Produced by Peeter Vähi and Ulrich Rützel
Recorded at Estonia Concert Hall in 2003Fliesstext