Orchestral Tools launches Estonian choir, strings, and organ sample set for composers

Orchestral Tools has announced the release of Tallinn, a new sampled collection featuring the distinctive sound of the highly acclaimed Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra together with two organs, all recorded in the rich acoustic space of Estonia’s iconic Niguliste (St Nicholas Church).

According to the company, ‘With a pure, wintry sound that reflects a Nordic aesthetic, the library is well suited for everything from early music to contemporary minimalist and avant-garde compositions’.

The Tallinn choir samples incorporate male and female singers across four vocal parts. With a focus on quiet vocal textures and long tones, the Tallinn choir can produce dark, moody passages as well as serene, calming moments. Recorded syllables based on the Estonian language add a local, Baltic flavour unlike any other vocal library.

Tallinn also includes both the primary organ and the chancel organ of Niguliste. Incorporating select registers and bass samples, the Tallinn organs match the sonic atmosphere of the choir and chamber orchestra.

By recording these specific voices and instruments in the rich acoustic space of Niguliste, the collection has captured a particularly Estonian sound aesthetic, a sound which has become synonymous with renowned Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, whose Grammy Award-winning Da Pacem was recorded by the same choir largely in the same church.

Orchestral Tools CEO and founder Hendrik Schwarzer said, ‘We’re extremely excited about this collection. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to record these incredible singers and players in their beautiful home town, in a space that they know well. We’ve made every effort to capture not only the unique sound but also the feeling the sound evokes. And I think we’ve succeeded – it’s been an incredible experience, and we’re looking forward to hearing the music that people create with Tallinn’.

An interview with Tõnu Kaljuste, world-renowned conductor and founder of the Grammy Award-winning Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC) and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra (TCO), to discuss their sounds and why they blend together so well.

Tallinn is available for pre-order exclusively from the Orchestral Tools online store for a special price of €249 until 4 May 2021. The collection will be available for download from 5 May for a special intro price of €299. The intro offer ends on 19 May after which the regular price for the collection is €399.