IN SPE

I hope this album from 1982 enjoys a classic status at least in its home country Estonia. The composer Erkki-Sven Tüür has later been active in classical music's field (though he's not as 'big name' as especially Arvo Pärt). This is a "Symphony for seven performers" - but there are actually eight players. Or maybe the one with 'digital normalizer, roland vocoder' is not counted as there are even two players handling synths, the other being Erkki-Sven himself who also sings the only part with vocals ('Antidolorosum' is based on a fine metaphysical poem by an Estonian poet).

My first listening started very positively - thinking even the possibility of five stars - and turned into a slight disappointment in the last two tracks, but on the second round they too sounded better. As a little minus I'd say many tracks could be shorter without losing anything crucial, as the musical themes are given plenty of time, but it never really comes into a level of boredom so it's not a notable minus. The music is very sophisticated instrumental art rock; flutes and synths have central roles. As the music is never plainly in the rock category, it is difficult to name bands for comparison. Mike Oldfield's Incantations sound a bit similar as the first tracks. With synths like mini moog and Prophet 5, it's at times a cross between 70's Camel and Tangerine Dream. Anyway, its is GOOD music for the mind's eye. I bet you don't often find a great prog album with Estonian vocals! ;)