Mihhail Gerts, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra - The Early Years of Eduard Tubin (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Suite on Estonian Motifs, ETW 13: I. Prelude
02. Suite on Estonian Motifs, ETW 13: II. Ostinato
03. Suite on Estonian Motifs, ETW 13: III. Intermezzo
04. Suite on Estonian Motifs, ETW 13: IV. Finale
05. Symphony No. 2, ETW 2: I. Legendaire
06. Symphony No. 2, ETW 2: II. Sostenuto assai, grave e funebre
07. Symphony No. 2, ETW 2: III. Tempestoso ma non troppo allegro (quasi toccata)
08. Con calmo, ETW 30-1
09. Moderato, con espressione, ETW 30-2

Eduard Tubin stands among the most significant symphonic voices of the Twentieth century, a composer whose music draws deeply on Nordic landscape, folklore and myth while speaking with a powerful modern voice. This recording with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and conductor Mihhail Gerts explores the formative years of Tubin’s creative life.

At its centre is the Symphony No. 2, ‘Legendary’ (1937), a work that established Tubin’s distinctive voice, moving from a mysterious opening through sombre reflection to a fiercely driven finale. Alongside that appears the Suite on Estonian Motifs, his first major orchestral composition, presented here in its first recording.

Completing the programme are two early Piano Preludes from 1926, performed by Mihhail Gerts, offering a glimpse of Tubin at the very beginning of his compositional journey. Together these works trace the emergence of a composer who would go on to become one of Estonia’s most important musical figures.