Tallinn

Tallinn—Voices And Strings
Pure, minimalist sound with a distinctive character.

The evocative sound of a unique music culture, bridging a thousand years from the ancient to the contemporary. Tallinn features the world-famous Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and Tallinn Chamber Orchestra plus two organs—all recorded in the iconic Niguliste church. With a pure, wintry, 'Nordic' sound, Tallinn is equally well suited to early music as to contemporary minimalism and avant garde, adding distinctive textures to dramatic scores, underscoring, and any other expressive compositions.

Highlights:

• Full male and female choirs, 16 singers in total.
• Chamber string ensemble: 5 violins, 4 violas, 3 celli, 2 basses.
• Two detailed church organs.
• Melodic legato for fluid performances.
• Evolving 'dynamic wave' sustains and textures.
• Recorded at Niguliste (St. Nicholas' Church) with multiple mic positions.

The Choir

Drawn from quieter vocal textures and long tones, the Tallinn choir can produce dark, moody passages as well as serene, calming moments. Evolving sustains crafted from subtly changing notes let you create seamlessly extended single-note lines and chords. Recorded syllables based on the Estonian language add a local, Baltic flavor unlike any other vocal library. And atonal murmurs and whispers add mystery and suspense to any production.

The Strings

Tallinn's chamber strings have a minimalist, icy surface and a warm core—perfect for ethereal, meditative parts and dark, thrilling cues alike. Moving beyond basic articulations, the strings offer multiple long and short notes, plus flageolet, tremolo, and extra-long sustains. All almost devoid of vibrato, for a decidedly modern and distinctly Estonian sound.

The Organs

Tallinn includes both the primary organ and the choir organ of the Niguliste church. Played by Ene Salumäe, and incorporating select registers and bass samples, the organs are designed to match the atmosphere of the choir and chamber orchestra—they truly glow in the rich acoustic environment of this originally medieval space.

Pure, Emotive Sound

All voices and instruments were recorded in the rich acoustic space of the Niguliste church to capture a specifically local 'Nordic' aesthetic. The sound has become synonymous with renowned Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, whose Grammy Award–winning Da Pacem was recorded by this same choir largely in this same church. The space and the performers form a perfect and unique whole.

By mixing sound from six mic positions, you can create anything from a close-up, intimate performance to an expansive, cinematic soundscape soaked in reverb. Voices and instruments remain precise and clear even as you blend in more of the Niguliste's organic sound.

The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir

Tallinn features the Grammy Award–winning Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC), founded in 1981 by Tõnu Kaljuste. The choir's repertoire ranges from Gregorian chant and Baroque music to contemporary compositions, in particular from Estonian composers.

The Tallinn Chamber Orchestra

Established in 1993, also by Tõnu Kaljuste, the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra (TCO) performs works that span the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic eras to the twenty-first century. The TCO collaborates frequently with the EPCC, participating in joint performances and highly regarded recordings, including the Grammy Award–winning Adam's Lament by Arvo Pärt.

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