Coming soon! Will be released on October 30th, 2026. Presentation-concert in Jämaja church, Kingdom of Torgu, Saaremaa island.
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LP vinyl record
SILVER RHAPSODY
Handbell Ensemble Arsis

A1 Heino Eller Homeland Melody 3:44
A2 Arvo Pärt Ukuaru Waltz 2:28
A3 Lepo Sumera, arr. Riivo Jõgi Waltz from the animation „The Spring Fly“ 6:26
A4 Estonian folk song, arr. Tõnu Kõrvits Mu süda, ärka üles! / Awake, My Heart! 3:10
A5 Estonian folk song, arr. Tõnu Kõrvits Tudu, tuvikene / Sleep, My Dove 3:27
A6 Estonian folk song, arr. Tõnu Kõrvits Lapse kiigutamise laul / A Baby Rocking Song 3:09
B1 Antonio Vivaldi / Johann Sebastian Bach, arr. Fred Gramann Allegro from Organ Concerto in A minor 3:20
B2 Sergei Rahmaninov, arr. Amaranta Põld Italian Polka 2:50
B3 Frédéric Chopin, arr. Ruth Artman Grande Valse Brillante 2:16
B4 Edward Elgar, arr. Douglas E. Wagner Nimrod from Enigma Variations 3:30
B5 Mykola D. Leontovych, arr. Kevin McChesne Carol of the Bells 3:40
B6 Franz Liszt, arr. Douglas E. Wagner Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 3:58
B7 Nikolai Rimski-Korsakov, arr. Vahur Soonberg Flight of the Bumblebee 1:10

 

A4 Estonian folk tune, Awake, My Heart!, fragment, 1 min 59 sec, mp3, 320 Kbps

A2 Arvo Pärt. Ukuaru Waltz, fragment, 1 min 37 sec, mp3, 320 Kbps

Arsis: Karl Jõeste, Oskar Mihhailov, Elisabet Priidel, Mathilda Salum, Sarah Metsar, Martha Tääkre, Aivar Mäe, Kätriin Pruul, Teisi-Liis Vaik, Maria-Elisabeth Vaigo, Britta Noor, Jaron Kiiroja, Innar Mihhailov

The Arsis handbell ensemble is one of Estonia’s most unique musical collectives, dedicated to the art of handbell music for over three decades. Founded in 1993 as the first of its kind in the Baltic and Nordic regions, Arsis has evolved into an internationally acclaimed ensemble. Their sound world is a seamless blend of precision, sensitivity, and a profound sense of ensemble synergy.
This album was recorded by an ensemble that grew out of the Arsis Handbell School; its members share years of collaborative experience and a unified approach to sound. Handbell music demands extraordinary trust and shared breath: each ensemble member is responsible for playing their notes with perfect timing, yet it is only when all the bells come together that a complete whole is born.
Throughout its history, Arsis has performed across most of Europe and introduced Estonian musical culture to America, Asia and Africa. The ensemble shares a special bond with the United States, having toured there numerous times; it is also the home of Arsis’ impressive collection of Malmark handbells. In 2025, the very line-up featured on this record also completed a successful concert tour across the USA.
This album is a true reflection of the essence of Arsis where dozens of bells merge into a single breathing and speaking instrument, performing works from various eras and styles. It is music born of precision, dedication, and the pure joy of playing together.

Aivar Mäe, the founder and conductor of Arsis, is the pioneer of handbell music in Estonia. Having gained inspiration and specialized training in the USA, his artistic vision has shaped Arsis into a renowned hallmark of quality and established a unique handbell school. Under his leadership, Arsis ensembles have garnered international awards and acclaim. Aivar’s conducting is defined by extraordinary attention to detail and a passion that has shaped Arsis into a world-class ensemble, blending technical mastery with musical depth.

Recorded in Hageri church (Estonia), April 11th–12th, 2026
Sound engineer – Siim Mäesalu
Assistant engineer – Siim Tsadurjan
Liner notes – Tiina Boucher
Design – Mart Kivisild
Producer – Peeter Vähi

Published by: Eres Edition (A1), Edition 49 (A3), Universal Edition (A2), ERP / Erdenklang Musikverlag (A4–A6), AGEHR Publishing (B1), Harold Flammer (B3), Alfred Music (B4), Lorenz Corporation (B5), Carl Fischer Music (B7)

℗ + © Arsis, ERP (Tallinn)
ERP 14626

See also other recordings with Arsis: The Best of Arsis Bells, 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, Terra Mariana, Prelude, Quarter of a Century with Friends