This year marks the 95th anniversary of Veljo Tormis’s birth. Since 1969, when his cantata “Laulu algus” (“The Beginning of Song”) was first performed under the arch of the Song Festival Grounds in Tallinn, no Song Celebration has taken place without the music of Tormis. Choirs of all types have sung both his long and short works pieces rooted in folk tradition as well as those reflecting the spirit of their time.

But what truly defines Veljo Tormis as a towering figure in Estonian choral music is his active role in keeping our ancient musical heritage alive.

In an interview 20 years ago, Veljo Tormis said:

“We need to think about how to make room for regilaul [runic song], or Estonian folk song in general, within the format of the Song Festival. Everyone has tried to do this, starting from Mart Saar, Kreek, and others. Even Karl August Hermann and Miina Härma thought about it—in their own ways, in their own times.”

At the upcoming Song Celebration, five works by Veljo Tormis will be performed.
Children’s choirs will sing “Kust tunnen kodu” (“How I Know Where's Home”), and Tauno Aints has created an instrumental arrangement of “Modal Études” [Études in Keys].
Male choirs will perform “Sõttaminek” (“Going to War”) and “Laulja” (“The Singer”), which is dedicated to Gustav Ernesaks, while mixed choirs will perform “Meelespea” (“Forget-Me-Not”), also dedicated to Ernesaks.

Text: Veljo Tormise Virtuaalkeskus
Photo: Veljo and Lea Tormis at the 1990 Song Celebration (Veljo Tormis Virtual Centre photo archive)

Source: Laulupidu 2025