ESTONIAN SYMPHONIC MUSIC. THE FIRST CENTURY 1896-1996.
The freely
shaped form indicates a tidal motion from the static to the dynamic. Speaking of
Atmospheres as a symphonic opus, there could have been a more monolithic form
scheme. With this his diploma work Põldmäe started to “plough the newly cleared soil”.
As an aside, the first almost Impressionistic sound pictures in Estonian symphonism
had been offered by his teacher Heino Eller in the twenties.
Without doubt Põldmäe’s ballet Merineitsi2 (The Mermaid, staged at the
Vanemuine Theatre in 1974) is one of his best and mature works. Later, a suite would
be arranged from this music.3
It is picturesque and Põldmäe is in his beloved “element”, the score being rich
in colours. The music is well suited to the fantastic plot. The timeless action takes place
on a nameless island. The ruler Kaspar is an unrestrained despot celebrating his
upcoming wedding. The islanders go to the seashore to fish with a seine in order to pay
annaabi.ee 
