Alisson Kruusmaa

WORKS FOR THE STAGE

Musical and/or drama and/or dance works for stage

• Hoovoog

  2022
  40'
  16 dancers, 2 percussionists
  Choreography: Eve Mutso
  Fp: Heigo Roson (percussion), Vambola Krigul (percussion), students of the Department of Drama of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre; April 20, 2022, Estonian Academt of Music and Theatre Concert Hall
  

WORKS FOR ORCHESTRA

Works for symphony orchestra

• Circles

  2017
  14'
  symphony orchestra
  Fp: Symphony Orchestra of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, conductor Ingrid Roose; June 21, 2017, Estonia Concert Hall
  

Works for chamber orchestra

• Brooklyn Bridge Nocturne

  2016
  4'
  chamber orchestra
  Fp: Sinfonietta of Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, conductor Toomas Vavilov; April 8, 2016, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Chamber Hall, Estonian Music Days Festival
  

Works for string orchestra

• Five Arabesques for Chamber Orchestra [Viis arabeski kammerorkestrile]

  • Audio

  • Five Arabesques: IV / Glasperlenspiel Sinfonietta, conductor Andres Kaljuste

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  Five Arabesques for Chamber Orchestra
  
  graceful, spiritual,
  with the gentleness of arabesques
  our life is similar
  to the existence of fairies
  that spin in soft cadence
  around nothingness
  to which we sacrifice
  the here and now
  
  
  (Hermann Hesse, in secret we thirst)

  5 movements
  2021
  17'
  string orchestra
  Fp: Glasperlenspiel Sinfonietta, conductor Andres Kaljuste; July 13, 2021, Tartu St. John's Church, Glasperlenspiel Festival
  Commissioned by: Glasperlenspiel Festival
  

Works for other orchestras

• The Silence of Birds [Lindude vaikus]

  2022
  10'
  4 solo cellos, cello orchestra (minimum 8 players)
  Fp: February 1, 2023, Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki, Findland, CelloFest
  Commissioned by: Martti Rousi and CelloFest
  Publisher: Universal Edition
  

WORKS FOR SOLO INSTRUMENT(S) AND ORCHESTRA

Works for piano and orchestra

• As if a River Were Singing… [Justkui jõgi oleks laulnud…]

  • Audio
  • Video

  • As if a River was Singing…: I / Johan Randvere (piano), Pärnu City Orchestra, conductor Kaspar Mänd

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  As If a River Were Singing… for solo piano and symphony orchestra was inspired by a river and its continuous stream that passes through mountains and valleys, darkness and light, eventually becoming an endless ocean. In its eternal flow, the river sings of beauty, peace and expanse.
  
  Alisson Kruusmaa

  3 movements
  2020
  25'
  piano, symphony orchestra: 2222, 2200, 1+1, harp, strings
  Fp: Johan Randvere (piano), Pärnu City Orchestra, conductor Kaspar Mänd; January 28, 2021, Pärnu Concert Hall
  CD "As if a river were singing...", Odradek Records (2022); Johan Randvere (piano), Pärnu City Orchestra, conductor Kaspar Mänd
  CD „New Estonian Orchestral Music“, Estonian Music Information Centre (2021); Johan Randvere (piano), Pärnu City Orchestra, conductor Kaspar Mänd
  
• Piece for Solo Piano and Symphony Orchestra [Pala sooloklaverile ja sümfooniaorkestrile]

  • Audio
  • Video

  • Piece for Solo Piano and Symphony Orchestra / Johan Randvere (piano), Symphony Orchestra of the Estonian Academy of Music, conductor Álvaro Gómez

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  2015
  9'
  piano, symphony orchestra
  Fp: Johan Randvere (piano), Symphony Orchestra of the Estonian Academy of Music, conductor Álvaro Gómez; June 19, 2015, Estonia Concert Hall
  

Works for accordion and orchestra

• Accordion Concerto [Akordionikontsert]

  2022
  25'
  accordion, symphony orchestra: 2222, 2200, 1+1, strings
  Fp: Momir Novakovic (accordion), Pärnu City Orchestra, conductor Kaspar Mänd; October 21, 2022, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Concert Hall, ACCORDIONF[est]
  

WORKS FOR ENSEMBLE

Duos

• Elevation 1. Above the Mountains

  1. Above the Mountains
  2. Above the Clouds
  3. Above the Valleys, Woods and Lakes and Ocean
  2023
  10'
  viola, piano
  Fp: Liisa Randalu (viola), Fabian Müller (piano); March 17, 2023, Kulturforum Kiel, Germany, Nordic Chamber Music Festival
  Commissioned by: Nordisches Kammermusikfestival
  Publisher: Universal Edition
  
• …when I rose, I began to see you differently, sun [… kui sirgusin, hakkasin ma nägema sind teisiti, päike]

  • Audio

  • …when I rose, I began to see you differently, sun / Mari Poll (violin), Momir Novakovic (accordion)

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  …when I rose, I began to see you differently, sun
  
  if you extinguished, I would be in the dark.
  The old sun cannot illuminate
  my eyes accustomed to the new fire.
  
  Ellen Niit

  Variations for violin and accordion
  2022
  8'
  violin, accordion
  Fp: Mari Poll (violin), Momir Novakovic (akordion); April 24, 2022, Tallinn House of Blackheads, Estonian Music Days
  Commissioned by: Estonian Music Days
  
• Mesmerism

  Arrangement of the piece from 2015
  2022
  7'
  marimba, piano
  Fp: Heigo Rosin (marimba), Mihhail Gerts (piano); October 7, 2022, Vanemuise Concert Hall, Tartu, festival TubIN
  Publisher: Universal Edition
  
• Mesmerism

  Arrangement of the piece from 2015
  2022
  7'
  violin, piano
  Fp: Arvo Leibur (violin), Johan Randvere (piano); February 2, 2023 Tubin Hall, Tartu, February 8, 2023 Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Concert Hall
  Publisher: Universal Edition
  
• Mesmerism

  • Audio

  • Mesmerism / Marten Altrov (clarinet), Jakob Teppo (piano)

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  2015
  7'
  clarinet, piano
  Fp: Marten Altrov (clarinet), Jakob Teppo (piano); September 25, 2015, Estonian Academy of Music and Theeathe Chamber Hall, Fresh Music Festival AutumnFest
  

Quartets

• By the North Sea

  Three seascapes for percussion quartet
  2022
  4 percussion players
  Fp: Estonian Percussion Quartet; September 3, 2022, Harmshof, Jork, Germany, International Music Festival IMF Buxtehude, Altes Land and Harburg
  
• Spring of Hope

  2021
  5'
  4 cellos
  Fp: Martti Rousi, Lauri Kankkunen, Jaani Helander, Laura Martin (cellos); March 2, 2021, Sibelius Academy Concert Hall, festival CelloFest, Helsinki, Finland
  Commissioned by: CelloFest
  
• The Moon is Distant from the Sea

  2020
  8'
  violin, viola, cello, piano
  Fp: Le Cameriste Ambrosiane; October 18, 2020, Spazio Teatro 89, Milan, Italy
  
• Against the Wind [Vastu tuult]

  2013
  8'
  saxophone quartet
  Fp: Saxophone Quartet SaxEst; May 29, 2014, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
  
• Songs of a Black Butterfly [Laulud mustast liblikast]

  • Video

  6'
  four French horns
  Fp: Jürnas Rähni, Tõnu Künnapas, Karin Järvi ja Marge Jegers; September 23, 2014, Kloostri Ait, Tallinn, concert series "Ludus tonalis"
  

String quartets

• Day by Day, Towards Lightness

  Listen: Soundcloud
  
  Day by Day, Towards Lightness (2021) for string quartet is a five-movement piece commissioned by the Pelargos Quartet from the Netherlands. It is based on the innermost reflections and diary entries written by the members of the ensemble during the time when the whole world was at its most vulnerable state. 
  
  2020 was a year full of chaos and uncertainty, solitude and longings, exhaustion and fragility. In the midst of everyday life the world was put on a pause. Matters that were once taken for granted were suddenly taken away leaving us exposed to our deepest thoughts. 
  
  Nevertheless, I do believe there is a hint of light in every dark moment. As we were forced to put our lives on hold, we were also given a chance to take a step back, rest and re-evaluate. Going inward allowed us to look for a deeper meaning and find what’s truly important, discovering new perspectives and gratitude even in the smallest things. 
  
  To me, it was a time of acknowledging how lucky I am to have music in my life. Being able to create and bring some beauty and kindness to this uncertainty is what I treasure the most. Luckily, music knows no boundaries. Despite the distances or lockdowns, it has a way of connecting us and perhaps giving some much needed healing. So, as I carried these personal letters into music as gracefully and honestly as I possibly could, I hoped it would bring us closer to better times and lightness. 
  
  Alisson Kruusmaa

  1. A year later
  2. Solitude, just to enjoy the earth, the sun and the rain
  3. I open the door, just in case…
  4. At a time when the whole world is at its most vulnerable
  5. Day by day, towards lightness
  2021
  13'
  string quartet
  Fp: Pelargos Quartet; August 7, 2021, Het Colofon, Arnhem, Netherlands, Muziekzomer Gelderland
  FpEst: String Quartet M4GNET; November 16, 2021, University of Tartu Museum
  Commissioned by: Pelargos Quartet
  Publisher: Universal Edition
  
• Three Miniatures for String Quartet [Kolm miniatuuri keelpillikvartetile]

  • Audio
  • Video

  • Three Miniatures for String Quartet: Part II / Egert Leinsaar (violin), Lisanne Altrov (violin), Karin Sarv (viola), Theodor Sink (cello)

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  2016
  9'
  string quartet
  Fp: Eclipse Quartet; Febryary 4, 2022, University of California, Pitzer Center, USA
  

Quintets

• Lights of a Distant Forest

  2018
  clarinet, violin, viola, cello, piano
  Fp: Participants of International Masterclass Apeldoorn; August 29, 2018, Apeldoorn, Theater Orpheus, Netherlands
  

Sextets

• Elevation 2. Beyond the Sun

  Alisson Kruusma: “Elevation 2. Beyond the Sun for flute, clarinet, percussion, piano, violin and cello is an imaginary sequel to the piece Elevation 1. Above the Mountains (2023) for viola and piano. These two successively written pieces of chamber music are inspired by the first verse of the poem Élévation by Charles Baudelaire (1821–1867). Both pieces are divided into three parts.”
  
  Élevation
  Au-dessus des étangs, au-dessus des vallées,
  des montagnes, de bois, des nuages, des mers,
  par delà le soleil, par delà les éthers,
  par delà les confins des sphères étoilées
  
  Elevation
  Above the mountains and above the clouds,
  above the valleys, woods and lakes and ocean,
  beyond the sun, beyond ethereal spaces
  and starry spheres, beyond their utmost bounds

  2023
  10'
  flute, clarinet, percussion, piano, violin, cello
  Fp: Ensemble U:; May 1, 2023, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Chamber Hall, Estonian Music Days
  Commissioned by: Estonian Music Days
  Publisher: Universal Edition
  

Works for large ensemble (8+)

• Three Aquarelles [Kolm akvarelli]

  2018
  handbell ensemble
  Fp: Two first movements: Arsis Handbell Ensemble; July 15, 2018, Tartu St. John's Church, festival Glasperlenspiel
  

WORKS FOR SOLO INSTRUMENT

Works for clarinet

• Scattered Winds... [Uhutud tuuled...]

  Scattered Winds for solo bass clarinet was inspired by the uncertainty that emerged in 2019 and left no-one and nothing untouched in the whole wide world. In the midst of chaos and vulnerability, solitude and longings, exhaustion and fragility, I began to search for beauty. Composing a piece for solo bass clarinet allowed me to explore the contrast between different colors and emotions, and hopefully, find a hint of light in these uncertain times.
  
  Alisson Kruusmaa

  2020
  8'
  bass clarinet
  Fp: Femke van den Bergh (bass clarinet); June 16, 2021, Royal Conservatoire The Hague
  Publisher: Universal Edition
  

Works for trumpet

• Three Songs for Solo Trumpet [Kolm laulu soolotrompetile]

  2013
  5'
  trumpet
  Fp: Indrek Vau (trumpet); September 2, 2013, Keila Music School; September 5, 2013 Tallinn House of Blackheads
  

Works for viola

• Hummingbirds

  1. Towers 
  2. Shimmering 
  3. Heartbeats 
  4. Wildflowers 
  5. Blossoming 
  6. In the Garden 
  7. Wings
  2019
  17'
  viola
  Fp: Hannah Levinson (viola); June 29, 2019, Scandinavia House, New York, Mise-En Festival
  
• Piece for Solo Viola [Pala soolovioolale]

  Arrangement of Piece for Solo Violoncello
  2014/2018
  5'
  viola
  Fp: Rebecca Osborn (viola); September 2018, Sitka, Alaska, USA
  

Works for cello

• Piece for Solo Violoncello II [Pala soolotšellole II]

  • Video

  Arrangement of the piece written in 2014
  2018
  5'
  cello
  Fp: Martti Rousi (cello); February 2, 2019, Helsinki Musiikkitalo, festival CelloFest.fi, Finland
  
• Piece for Solo Violoncello [Pala soolotšellole]

  • Audio

  • Piece for Solo Violoncello / Villu Vihermäe (cello)

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  2014
  5'
  cello
  Fp: Villu Vihermäe (tšello); October 21, 2014, Kloostri Ait, Tallinn, concert series "Ludus tonalis"
  Publisher: Universal Edition
  

Works for piano

• Paper Flowers [Paberlilled]

  • Video

  2019
  8'
  piano
  Fp: Johan Randvere (piano); February 7, 2019, Spazio Teatro 89, Milan, Italy
  FpEst: Johan Randvere (piano); February 26, 2019, Estonia Concert Hall
  Publisher: Universal Edition
  
• Like Rain It Sounded…

  2017
  7'
  piano
  
• Suite for Solo Piano [Süit sooloklaverile]

  • Audio
  • Video

  • Suite for Solo Piano / Johan Randvere (piano)

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  1. Prelude
  2. Allemande
  3. Sarabande
  4. Gigue
  2013
  7'
  piano
  Fp: Johan Randvere (piano); April 4, 2013, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Chamber Hall, Estonian Music Days Festival
  Publisher: Universal Edition
  

VOCAL AND CHORAL MUSIC

Works for mixed choir and orchestra

• Under the Evening Sky [All õhtutaeva]

  • Audio

  • Under the Evening Sky / Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor Mihhail Gerts

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  Under the Evening Sky for chamber choir and symphony orchestra is based on Marie Under’s poem by the same title. This is a reflection or prayer that mirrors the rippling glimmer of the internal and external worlds and the pursuit of light and beauty.
  
  Alisson Kruusmaa

  2020
  7'
  mixed choir, symphony orchestra: 2222, 4200, 1+1, strings
  Text: Marie Under

  Under the Evening Sky
  
  Under this glowing evening sky
  The northwest rays beaming down
  As if there were no worries to be found…
  And above the garden the crescent moon
  Sprinkling its glitter on the bushes;
  In the greenery below a bridge glowing white
  
  Sweetly beckoning to reach overside;
  Where on its bed a blossom overflows with scent
  There I hide my blissful ardor in my palms;
  How could beauty be so full of pain
  
  Marie Under

  
  Fp: Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, conductor Mihhail Gerts; April 30, 2021, online from Tallinn, Estonia Concert Hall, Estonian Music Days & Baltic Music Days
  Commissioned by: Estonian Music Days Festival
  Publisher: Universal Edition
  

Works for voice(s) and orchestra

• …and the Great Winds Come and Go

  • Video

  2021
  5'
  soprano, symphony orchestra: 2020, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, 2221, 2, electric guitar, electric bass, electric piano, accordion, piano, strings
  Text: Robert Louis Stevenson
  Fp: Michaela Riener (soprano), Phion, Orkest de Ereprijs, conductor Manoj Kamps; March 6, 2021, Musis, Arnhem, Andriessen Festival, The Netherlands
  
• Rain

  2018
  3'
  mezzo-soprano, wind orchestra
  Text: Robert Louis Stevenson
  Fp: Orkest de Ereprijs, conductor Rob Vermeulen; March 2, 2018, Gigant Concert Hall, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
  

Works for voice(s) and piano

• Flight of Swans… [Luikede lennust…]

  • Audio

  • Flight of Swans… / Tamar Nugis (baritone), Elle-Riin Volmer (piano)

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  2015
  2'
  voice, piano
  Text: Andres Ehin
  Fp: Tamar Nugis (baritone), Elle-Riin Volmer (piano); May 5, 2015, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
  

Works for voice(s) and other instrument(s)

• Three Songs on Emily Dickinson’s Poems

  I An Everywhere of Silver
  II Not Knowing When the Dawn Will Come
  III So Set Its Sun in Thee
  2023
  7'
  mezzo-soprano, clarinet, piano
  Text: Emily Dickinson
  Fp: Tuuri Dede (mezzo-soprano), Ilana Makarina (piano), Vittoria Ecclesia (clarinet); April 28, 2023, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Concert Hall
  Publisher: Universal Edition
  
• Of All the Sounds

  2021
  10'
  mezzo soprano, cello, piano
  Text: Emily Dickinson
  Fp: Carolina Luís (mezzo-soprano), Wilma de Bruijn (cello), Ana Sánchez Donate (piano); June 3, 2022, Amare Concertzaal, Hague, Netherlands
  
• Songs of Silver Light

  1. An Everywhere of Silver
  2. My River Runs to Thee
  3. I Many Times Thought Peace Had Come
  4. So Set Its Sun in Thee
  5. Not Knowing When the Dawn Will Come
  6. When Night Is Almost Done
  7. Our Share of Night to Bear
  2017
  17'
  mezzo-soprano, trumpet, piano
  Text: Emily Dickinson
  Fp: Ksenia Kuchukova (mezzo-soprano), Chris Sommer (trumpet), Jakob Teppo (piano); October 10, 2017, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Chamber Hall, Fresh Music Festival AutumnFest
  
• Song on Texts by Andres Ehin [Laulud Andres Ehini tekstile]

  1. Peegeldad täna kõiksuse külma päikest (You Reflect the Cold Sun of Universe Today)
  2. Talv tuli äkki (Winter Came Suddenly)
  3. Kuused on kõrged, kuid upuvad ometi lindude laulu (Firs Are Tall But Still Drowning into the Song of Birds)
  2013
  5'
  mezzo-soprano, timpani
  Text: Andres Ehin
  Fp: Laura Põldvere (mezzo-soprano), Maarja Nuut (timpani); September 27, 2013, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Chamber Hall, Fresh Music Festival AutumnFest
  

Works for mixed choir a cappella

• The Silence of Birds [Lindude vaikus]

  • Audio

  • Silence of Birds / Chamber Choir Head Ööd, Vend, conductor Pärt Uusberg

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  2017
  6'
  mixed choir
  Text: Ellen Niit
  Fp: Chamber Choir Head Ööd, Vend, conductor Pärt Uusberg; March 3, 2018 Heino Eller Tartu Music School, March 4, 2018 Raplamaa Contemporary Art Centre, March 5, 2018 Tallinn House of Blackheads
  Commissioned by: Chamber Choir Head Ööd, Vend