Title: Rudolf Tobias: Joonas (Jonah Oratorio)
Artist: Mirjam Mesak
Label: Ondine
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 761195145623
Genre: Classical Artists
Release Date: 2026-01-30
Number of Discs: 2

This release is the world premiere recording of Estonia's first major work in art music in it's original score and sung in Estonian. Rudolf Tobias (1873-1918) is widely celebrated in Estonia as the 'father of Estonian music' and considered as the first Estonian composer to have obtained a degree in composing after completing his studies at the St Petersburg Conservatoire. In this recording the composer's magnum opus, Joonas (Jonah Oratorio) is performed by a first-class Estonian line up led by the award-winning ensembles Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and conductor Tonu Kaljuste.

Tracks:
1.1 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Prologue. Teie, õelad
1.2 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Prologue. Arioso. Ei usu te mu sõna (Ye believe not my word)
1.3 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Prologue. Aria with choir. Nii ütleb Jumal (Thus sayeth God)
1.4 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 1. Kuhu ma lähen Su vaimu eest? (Whither shall I go from Thy spirit?)
1.5 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 1. Torm: Aita meid päästa (Storm: Help save us)
1.6 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 1. Tänukoor: Ja nägid lained siis Sind (Chorus of Thanksgiving: And the waves then saw Thee!)
1.7 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 2. Nii kui Joonas kord kolm päeva (For as Jonah was three days)
1.8 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 2. On Issanda arm (It is of the Lord's mercies)
1.9 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 2. Palve: Mu Issandat küll hüüdsin (Prayer: I cried unto the Lord)
1.10 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 2. Terzett: Ei jäta tema hinge (Trio: Thou wilt not leave his soul)
1.11 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 2. Oh, anna tuhat keelt Sa mulle (O give a thousand tongues unto me)
1.12 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 2. Fuuga: Sind, mu Jumal, armastan (Fugue: I love Thee, my God)
2.1 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 3. Kättemaksupsalm: Issand, ilmu meile (Psalm of Vengeance: Lord, show Thyself)
2.2 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 3. Sanctus: Püha, püha (Sanctus: Holy, holy)
2.3 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 3. Aaria: Sinu tahet (Aria: Thy will)
2.4 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 3. Oh, Issand, Su pühad, neid on väheks jäänud (O Lord, Thy faithful are few and far between)
2.5 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 3. Koraal: Oh, Issand, taevast vaata nüüd (Chorale: O Lord, look down from heav'n, behold)
2.6 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 3. Arietta: Jumal nüüd vaatab alla (Arietta: God looks now down)
2.7 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 4. Laskem meid süüa (Let us eat)
2.8 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 4. Intermezzo: Ei inimene (Intermezzo: Neither man)
2.9 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 4. De profundis clamavi: Issand, halasta! (Lord, have mercy!)
2.10 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 5. Ei Sinust hoolinud keegi (None pitied thee)
2.11 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 5. Kui käes on viimne kohtupäev (When the last day of judgement is here)
2.12 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 5. Duett: Mis on see inimene (Duet: What is man)
2.13 Joonas (Jonah), Oratorio~Scene 5. Löpukoor: Vaata, sääl on Looja maja (Closing chorus: Behold, the tabernacle of God)