ERKKI-SVEN TÜÜR (b.1959): Piano Sonata, Hiiumaa, To Kristiina, Short Meeting of Dark and Light, Reaching to the Top of the Mountain, TÕNU KÕRVITS (b.1969): Hymn to Invisible Wind Harp, GEORGE ENESCU (1881-1955): Piano Sonata in F Sharp Minor, Op. 24/1, BÉLA BARTÓK (1881-1945): Out of Doors, Sz. 81.

Description: Tüür's compact, accessible sonata is an early work, from 1985. It reflects the composer's preoccupations at the time; minimalism and a suggestion of the energy and uncomplicated visceral appeal of non-classical idioms that resurface in his music from time to time. The outer movements are mostly fast and propulsive, the first alternating with lyrical, flowing sections. The movements are divided into discrete blocks or episodes any of which could be an extract from a larger minimalist work but which are juxtaposed rather than metamorphosing one into the next. The middle movement is a study in contrasts, resonance and sonority, emulating bell sounds. The other four pieces were written separately in the 1990s and early 2000s, all with some pedagogical subtext. The first begins simply and atmospherically, becomes agitated and breaks into a brief cluster-laced climax before returning to the opening mood. The second is very like the post-minimal sections of the sonata, and the third recalls the bell-resonances of its middle movement. The last grows ever-expanding sonorous scales and arpeggii from a small cell heard at the outset. All are predominantly tonal-sounding, as is Körvits' evocation of the æolian harp, a folk-like hymn slowly emerging from the piano's resonances, overtones and saturated coloristic harmonies. Mihkel Poll (piano).