The Friday evening concert on April 4, held as part of the International Trumpet Days 2025, brought together an impressive lineup of Estonia’s finest brass players at St. John's Church in Tallinn, offering a fresh perspective on the works of Veljo Tormis. The Tallinn Brass Academy proved that Tormis’ choral music can sound just as soulful when interpreted by brass instruments. The concert featured three of Tormis' pieces: Curse Upon Iron, Forget-Me-Not, and Ingrian Evenings (Inkerin Illat). In addition to Tormis' works, compositions by J. Sibelius, V. Petrov, and M. Mussorgsky were also performed.

An Exceptional Ensemble with a Deep Purpose

The performers included musicians from both the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and the Estonian National Opera, as well as players who no longer perform regularly. The ensemble, spanning from over-16s to 70+ veterans, created a truly special and synergistic atmosphere. Organizer Neeme Ots described it as one of the most unique concerts they’ve ever put together and fortunately, not the last.

“This isn’t just a concert — it’s an educational and identity-supporting mission: to bring together different generations to sound as one,” emphasized conductor Mihhail Gerts. This inspiring statement was echoed by young trumpet soloist Eerik Bahovski.

First Encounters with Tormis — Sometimes Unconsciously

Several young musicians recalled that their first encounter with Tormis’ music may have happened unconsciously. “As kids, we mostly learn children’s songs or classical trumpet pieces. There might have been a Tormis song among them,” said young trumpeter Jan Marius Laur. “But playing his work now with a brass ensemble is definitely my first conscious experience.”

Trumpet soloist Triin Ustav also shared that she only discovered Tormis during a music history class this year: “I’d heard the name, of course, but never truly explored his work. Curse Upon Iron is probably a piece that every Estonian has heard at least once.”

Neeme Ots, one of the project leaders, remarked: “That subconscious primal connection is exactly what’s important, it shows how deeply Tormis is rooted in our culture and memory. His music is present even when we’re not fully aware of it.”

Brass Instruments as a Gateway to a New World

For the audience, it felt as if the brass instruments were speaking to each other. This effect was no accident — many performers noted that this sense of dialogue is a fresh and novel aspect their arrangement brings to Tormis’ music. “We didn’t just want to play notes, we wanted to tell a story, as if an old farmwife were singing to her village,” said Jan Marius Laur.

Conductor Mihhail Gerts also highlighted that Tormis’ music inherently tells a story, regardless of the medium used. Brass instruments give it a completely new yet credible body.

In addition to the powerful sound, performers emphasized the vast potential of Tormis’ choral works in brass ensemble settings. “These arrangements are a completely new phenomenon in Estonia’s musical landscape and their creation definitely deserves to continue into the future,” added Neeme Ots.

A Primal Connection to Folk Song

The deepest roots of Veljo Tormis' music lie in Estonian folk and runic song (regilaul) traditions. “It’s embedded in us on a DNA level, a generational memory layer that evokes emotions we can’t always put into words,” said conductor Mihhail Gerts. He also pointed out a historical insight: “Eduard Tubin once believed folk songs had to be altered, but Tormis believed they were suitable in their authentic form. Decades later, Tubin agreed. And that authenticity is the essence of Tormis’ choral work.”

Trumpet soloist Eerik Bahovski also noted that the sense of unity Tormis’ music creates is what resonates with Estonians and has helped them endure even the most difficult times.

Neeme Ots added: “Tormis’ ability to remain authentic while moving forward in time is something today’s young musicians can learn a great deal from.”

Veljo Tormis Lives On — In a New Sound and Generation

The concert leaves behind warm feelings, reverence for folk heritage, and hope that such arrangements will reach even broader audiences. Veljo Tormis’ music is far from static, it lives and breathes in new ensembles and through new performers, bringing the primal Estonian soul into the present day. All the young soloists expressed a strong desire to continue their journey performing Tormis’ pieces on brass instruments.

As Neeme Ots put it: “Tormis doesn’t need translation, his music speaks in every language, even through brass.” And so Veljo Tormis lives on in his music, which speaks to and unites us with our roots and history, offering new and inspiring performance possibilities that bring folk tradition into the modern world.

Article author and interviewer: Paula Hakkaja (Veljo Tormis Virtual Centre)