ESTONIAN SYMPHONIC MUSIC. THE FIRST CENTURY 1896-1996.
the evil bolts and directed them to the soil.1
With an overview of his numerous symphonic and stage works it becomes
obvious that Kapp’s most important works retaining their critical appreciation belong to
the stage and were written after the war: the opera Tasuleegid (The Flames of Revenge,
1945, librettist Paul Rummo, stage director Eino Uuli, conductor Priit Nigula) 2 and the
ballet Kalevipoeg (1947, librettist Andres Särev, stage director Helmi Tohvelmann,
conductor Kirill Raudsepp).3
The opera written to mark the 600th anniversary of the Estonian St. George’s
Night uprising, vigorously demonstrates the nation’s desire for freedom. The uprising
had no positive outcome, but the music is captivating with its warmth, melodious tone
and sincerity. The Moscow musicologist Dr. Nazary Raisky commented after the
performance:
1
Harri Kiisk, Teataja [Stockholm] 16 Nov 1996.
2
First performance 21 July 1945
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