Folk music band “Laulusõbrad”

“Laulusõbrad” at a Dance Festival in 1990. L. Peegel’s private collection.

We can see traditional Muhu dances performed by the group “Ätses” who is accompanied by a singing and instrumental group “Laulusõbrad” that also performs some songs on their own. The group “Laulusõbrad” was founded in 1985. They had been active for 25 years. In Kihnu the following musicians were part of the group: solo singer Herje Vilto, solo singer and accordion player Mihkel Mereäär, an accordion and clarinet player and the leader of the group Vello Tikerpalu, the player of the chord harp Leena Peegel, the double-bass player Indrek Keert, and the percussion instrument jauram player Aivo Opp. (“DVD Traditional songs, dances and song games of Muhu island”, Rüütel 2015: 28)

In 1994, I visited Kihnu island with the Estonian Television crew to record material for the television program “People of Kihnu” (“Kihnlased”). During the celebrations of Kihnu days performed a folk dance group from Muhu – “Ätses”, who presented authentic Muhu dances, and „Laulusõbrad“ – an ensemble from Muhu /---/. This is the only video recording in color with sound. The major part of it was included into the DVD selection. I also added ensemble pieces to the book. It is interesting how old songs are performed in a modern ensemble repertoire. At the beginning, there was no information available about the group “Laulusõbrad”. Neither Kihnu inhabitants remembered anything about them, nor I had any notes on them. I found out from the “Ätses” group members that the soloist of “Laulusõbrad” was Herje Vilto. /---/ Later came out, that she left for the mainland and nobody knew any details about her. Then I turned for help to the Head of Orissaare community center, Anu Viljaste /---/. It turned out, that one of the members of “Laulusõbrad”, Liiva School music teacher and zither player Leena Peegel was the former classmate of his brother! Leena Peegel turned out to be a very good informant. Through her hands were received song lyrics from the ensemble repertoire, were recorded a number of songs and information about the songmakers. She was the one, who gave information about Muhu most known songmaker Vassili Kase. (On collection circumstances and purposes, Rüütel 2016: 27–28)

Videos:

• III. The Muhu islanders in the Kihnu festival 1994

Folk music band “Laulusõbrad”: Herje Vilto, born 1960, Mihkel Mereäär, born 1964, Vello Tikerpalu, born 1940, Leena Peegel, born 1963, Indrek Keert, born 1957, Aivo Opp, 1957–2009. Recorded by I. Rüütel, R. Murusalu, R. Lillma, E. Potter in 1994.