RENÉ EESPERE
FEBRUA

It is as if the motives left open in the music of René Eespere beg the question: who am I in the midst of this mortal world? And this is his way to uncompromisingly represent the ethical art of the past.

#7, Flatus III, fragm, 3 min 22 sec, mp3
#8, Epigram VI, fragm, 3 min 22 sec, mp3

Performed by: Kaia Urb − soprano (#8, 11), Sauli Tiilikainen − baritone (#2, 9), Neeme Punder − flute (#1, 7, 8), Mihkel Peäske − flute (#5), Olev Ainomäe − oboe (#7), Meelis Vind − clarinet (#7), Rait Erikson − French horn (#7), Kaido Suss − bassoon (#7), Harry Traksmann − violin (#1, 5, 10), Arvo Haasma − viola (#5), Leho Karin − cello (#5), Silver Ainomäe − cello (#4), Marius Järvi − cello (#4), Teet Järvi − cello (#10), Marrit Gerretz-Traksmann − celesta (#5), Eda Peäske − harp (#5), Kristo Käo − guitar (#3), Tiit Peterson − guitar (#1, 8), Ralf Taal − piano (#6), Mihkel Mattisen − piano (#4), Tarmo Eespere − piano (#2, 9–11)

Recorded by Estonian Broadcasting Corporation (ERR) 2003–2009
Engineered by Aili Jõeleht (#6), Tanel Klesment (#3, 5), Mati Brauer (#1, 2, 9), Maido Maadik (#4, 7, 8, 10, 11)
Mastered by Maido Maadik
Liner notes by Evi Arujärv
Translated by Riho Maimets
Booklet edited by Inna Kivi and Tiina Jokinen
Design by Mart Kivisild
Photos by Fred Jüssi and Gert Kelu (Eesti Foto)
Co-produced by Peeter Vähi
Published by Edition Eisenberg, except Triangulum published by ERP

© René Eespere 2009
n©b
ERP 3209
 

It is as if the motives left open in the music of René Eespere (1953) beg the question: who am I in the midst of this mortal world? And this is his way to uncompromisingly represent the ethical art of the past.
René Eespere gained recognition in his native Estonia in the 1970s and 1980s for his vocal-symphonic opuses, works for the stage and his music for children.  The music composed in this period is characterised by deep research into human values. His later works, including his opera Gourmets (2005), draw attention to the more painful aspects of the human existence.The most significant among his instrumental works are seven concerti and chamber music.
The music of René Eespere has always had a clearly defined texture. Over time, its aesthetics have changed, from diatonic minimalism and baroque influences to the use of chromatic and linear voice-leading techniques, and a more conscientious treatment of timbre.
This is the eighth commercially released compact disc of René Eespere’s music, featuring chamber works written in the years 2002–2009. It is entitled Februa, alluding to the Roman festival of purification, which is marked also by the contents of the CD, in which sadness and a state of mourning take the listener on a journey to a sun-filled place of beauty and peace.
Tres in unum (2004) for flute, violin and guitar, is a melancholy trialogue. The musical leitmotif of the cross, weaved into the texture of the piece, forms links with Christian mythology.
Epigram II (2002) for baritone and piano, is composed on a tenth-century text from the Codex Vossianus.  The piece is a reflection of man’s lust for hope and the deceptive nature of this desire.
Immutatio (Lat ‘mutation’, 2004) for guitar, begins with a rushing Allegro which fades into a slow Adagio . The piece is dedicated to the American guitarist Hermann Hudde.
Februarium (2004) for two cellos and piano, is a painful surge of emotion caused by questions that have no answer. This is followed by an inner reconciliatory process. The title makes reference to Februa, the Roman festival of purification.
Ambitus (Lat ‘exterior border, periphery’, 2002) for six instruments (flute, harp, celesta, violin, viola and cello) creates an erratic atmosphere with its secretive timbres and the constant repetition of a desperate-sounding phrase, which can be thought to represent anxiety, bordering on the limits of human cognition . The work is dedicated to the Estonian NYYD Ensemble.
Ludus tactus (2008) for solo piano grows from an unpretentious play on music into a dramatic inner discussion. The piece is dedicated to an Estonian pianist Ralf Taal.
Flatus III (Lat flatus – ‘blowing, breathing’, 2004) for woodwind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and french horn) carries an element of grotesque  through seven playful variations.
Epigram VI (2004) for soprano, flute and guitarr is based on a text by the Roman poet Ovidius. It encourages to live one’s life in haste, because time is ticking and the body is withering…
Epigram VII (2005), on the text of the Roman poet Martialis, for baritone and piano sings praises to the abstemiousness of the human objective. The piece is dedicated to the Finnish baritone Sauli Tiilikainen.
Triangulum (Lat ‘triangle’, 2008) for violin, cello and piano  is a bright and melodious piece, in which the purity of mediaeval polyphony is realized.
Locus amoenus (‘The Place of Beauty’, 2009) for soprano and piano is based on a poem bearing the same name  by a fourth-century Roman poet Tiberianus, which is thought to be a reference to the Garden of Eden. As the last piece of Februa, Locus amoenus represents the harmonious condition of the human soul.

Epigram III

Lyrics from Codex Vossianus

Spes fallax, spes dulce malum,
spes summa malorum,
solamen miseris,
quos fata sua trahunt.
Credula res, quam nulla potest
fortuna fugare.
Spes stat
in extremis officiosa malis.
Spes vetat aeternis mortis
requiescere portis
et curas ferro
rumpere sollicitas.
Spes nescit vinci,
spes pendet tota futuris,
mentitur, credi vult tamen
illa sibi.

Epigram VI

Lyrics by Ovidius

Utendum est aetate,
cito pede labitur aetas.
Nec bona tam sequitur,
quam bona prima fuit...
Heu me nunc miserum!
Laxantur corpora rugis
et perit,
in nitido qui fuit ore, color.

Epigram VII

Lyrics by Martialis (?)

Nec volo me summis Fortuna
neque adplicet imis,
sed medium vitae
temperet illa gradum.
Invidia excelsos,
inopes iniuria vexat.
Quam felix vivit,
quiquis utraque caret.

Press resonance: René Eespere on üks neid heliloojaid, kes järgib muusika kirjutamisel loomuliku kulgemise rada... Plaadi valik on stiilne, ühtne... P.S. Ma ei küüni päriselt mõistma heliloojate üha süvenevat tendentsi panna üpris pretensioonikaid ladinakeelseid pealkirju... (Virve Normet, Muusika, 04 / 2010, Estonia)

Worldwide distribution by Note 1 Music (Carl-Benz-Straße 1, 69115 Heidelberg, Germany, phone +49 6221 720351, fax +49 6221 720381, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , www.note-1.de) / Naxos Global Logistics
Distribution in Estonia by Easy-Living Music, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , phone +372 51 06058

See also other recordings of René Eespere produced by ERP: In dies, De spe, Eesti portreed, Somnium boreale, Locus amoenus
See also www.eespere.ee