Scholarly Abstractions: Estonian Composer Ester Mägi

Garbes, Heather MacLaughlin.  To The Bards: The Choral Music of Estonian Composer Ester Mägi.  Doctor of Musical Arts dissertation.  University of Washington, 2008.

 

       Although the popularity of Arvo Pârt and Veljo Tormis have brought the awareness of Baltic music to a new level in the past few years, there is an immense amount of quality literature that the music community needs to hear,  study and perform. The choral works of Ester Mägi represent a genre of music that combines the tradition of folk music style with the innovation and creativity of contemporary harmonies and voicings.

       Ms. Mägi has drawn from the traditional Setu and folk melodies, but then has used those formulas as a springboard to compose original melodies. This combination of compositional techniques brings life, newness and vitality to the old traditions that allows them to continue through the generations.

       An overview of the history of Baltic Choral music will allow the participant to understand the emotional aspects of the importance of singing and choral music in this region. There will also be a survey of Ester Mägi’s choral works with an in-depth look at the text and compositional techniques of some of her benchmark pieces.

       With the celebration of Ester Mägi’s 90th birthday this year, it is a fitting and wonderful opportunity to be able to begin sharing the gift of her compositions, one of the greatest kept secrets of the Baltic musical world.

 

(“Scholarly Abstractions” is a feature highlighting brief abstracts from recent graduate projects in choral music.  To share your thesis abstract, contact Scott Dorsey at )