MÄNGUTOOS
MUSIC BOX

ARSIS
Youth Handbell Ensemble

An exciting performing of classical hits and Christmas tunes by Arsis Youth Handbell Ensemble. The festive bronze sound of the bells gives a new dimension to the well-known pieces.

1	E Grieg / arr A B Sherman	Morning (from Peer Gynt Suite)	4:27
2	E Grieg / arr M R Keller	In the Hall of the Mountain King	2:45
3	J S Bach / arr B B Kinyon	Sinfonia	3:28
4	J S Bach / arr F A Merrett	Siciliano	2:08
5	L Boccherini / arr D R Frederick	Minuet	3:05
6	T Albinoni / arr K McChesney	Adagio	4:11
7	F Schubert / arr W H Griffin	Ave Maria	4:34
8	D Rose / arr D E Wagner	Holiday for Strings	1:00
9	D E Allured	Incalzando	6:26
10	K L Buckwalter	Valse les adieux (Remembrance)	5:18
11	Folk song / arr B W Bisbee	A German Music Box	1:38
12	Folk tune / arr C Mocklebust	Thy Holy Wings	2:31
13	Trad / arr E Laurence	Three Estonian Folk Songs	3:57
14	C W Goff	A Joyous Carillon	2:26
15	A L Webber / arr D Averre	Memory (from Cats)	3:21
16	J Strauss / arr M L Thompson	Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka	2:20

Download: #3, Bach. Sinfonia, fragm, 79 sec, mp3, 2417 KB

Download: #9, Albinoni. Adagio, fragm, 104 sec, mp3, 2686 KB

Bells or chimes as percussion instruments were recognised already in ancient times. The roots of these musical instruments date back to the 13-14th centuries when it was common that differently tuned church bells called people to the service playing beautiful melodies. The first small copies from big church bells were made in England and that is why these handbells are known as English handbells.
Arsis Handbell Ensemble was developed from the chamber choir Arsis in 1993. Arsis Youth Handbell Ensemble has its roots in the Arsis Handbell School which was founded in 1999. In 2003, the first students graduated from the school, and the same year, the current youth handbell ensemble was founded. The 14-member group was chosen through a contest from among 45 participants. The conductor of the ensemble is Aivar Mäe, the founder of the Arsis Handbell Ensemble and the Handbell School.

Aivar Mäe (b 1960) – the artistic director of Handbell Ensemble Arsis. He acquired his musical education at Tallinn Music High School and Estonian Academy of Music where he studied choral conducting with Prof Ants Sööt. In his youth Aivar Mäe was the vocal soloist of the pop-rock group Vitamiin. Later he has been working with several choirs in Estonia as well as abroad – in Sweden and the USA. He has been the leader of international choir festivals, also running seminars for choral music. In 1992, Aivar Mäe studied in the USA for a year and a half improving his knowledge at the music department of Portland University with Prof Bruce Brown. 1999–2009 he has been working as the general manager of Eesti Kontsert, the National Concert Institute of Estonia, 2004–06 the general manager of Vanemuine Theatre, and since 2009 the general manager of Estonian National Opera.

Performed by Arsis Youth Handbell Ensemble: Mariann Tiirik, Jürgen Kaevats, Inger-Liis Kroonmaa, Gert Põrk, Kärt Tammjärv, Greta Roosaar, Kaisa-Maria Vellomäe, Innar Mihhailov, Kristjan Rausberg, Allan Aim, Jorm Miikael Kelder, Mariann Saarend, Gerda Neemre, Merilin Mandel, and conductor Aivar Mäe

Recorded in the St Mauritius Merchant Guild, Tallinn, on March 10th and 11th, 2007
Engineered and mastered by Tanel Klesment
Photos by Viljo Pettinen
Design by Mart Kivisild
Managed by Tiina Kodumäe
Recording supervisor – Peeter Vähi

© 2007 Arsis & ERP
ERP 1507

Distribution by Arsis: info@arsis.ee; +372 6621855; www.arsis.ee

See also recordings with Handbell Ensemble Arsis: Handbell Symphony, Supreme Silence, In Dies, Planetentöne Vol 2, Om Mani Padme Hung, Traumzeit, The Flutish Kingdom, World Festival Of Sacred Music Europe, Awake, My Heart!, Night Music, Legend

MÄNGUTOOS MUSIC BOX ARSIS Youth Handbell Ensemble

MÄNGUTOOS
MUSIC BOX

ARSIS
Youth Handbell Ensemble