MART SAAR (1882-1963): 22 Pieces, 19 Folk Tunes, 4 Pieces.

Description: Known primarily for his choral and vocal works, Saar was a master of the miniature when it came to his smaller œuvre of piano pieces. Two things influence these pieces above all: the overriding importance of Estonian folk music and, after witnessing a recital of his in 1909, the music of Scriabin. The latter comes more to the fore in the 22 short pieces - Waltzes, Mazurkas, Bagatelles, Moments, Elegies with a Funeral March, Little Steed and other unique items mixed in - while the Folk Tunes are tribute to his personal collecting trips in various parts of his homeland. Although this pianist recorded all of Saar's Preludes for Finlandia back in 2002, most of what's here are first recordings. Vardo Rumessen (piano).