Annotated Dance Music Listing

The dance tunes begin with "Kalamies" or Fisherman's dance, which depicts fishermen beguiling the fish into their nets and their joy over the catch. The recording ends with "Tuljak", a rousing couples' dance, that ends with the girls being lifted into the air by their partners. On most festive occasions such as weddings and dance festivals, Tuljak is the dance that ends the performance.

It was not possible to translate all dance names into English. Several of the dances are traditional Estonian Folkloric dances, with names whose meaning may have been lost over time, or may not be translateable. Other dances with place names or people's names have been retained in the original Estonian.

Times are minutes.seconds

1. Fisherman (2.21) Fisherman's dance in 2/4 or 4/4 time.
2. Wedding Procession of Mustjala (2.18)
3. Right and Left (2.18)
4. Old Voor Dance (1.53) Characteristic estonian waltz step dance, which has many variations. "voor" is a string of carts, or sledges and also denotes turning around. The dance encompasses both aspects, including a "chain" of people making turning movements.
5. Kassari (2.32) Kassari is the neighbouring island of Hiiumaa.
6. Leaping by threes (1.24)
7. Dance for three pairs (1.37)
8. Dance for four pairs (1.46)
9. Raksi Jaak (1.10) (person's name)
10. Voortants (3.09) (see note for 4. Vana Voortants)
11. Estonian Polka (2.09)
12. Old woman's spinning-wheel (1.51)
13. Polka from Hiiumaa (1.04) (a province)
14. Hiiu Waltz (1.49) (see note above)
15. Jumping Dance (1.59)
16. Jämaja "flat foot" waltz (2.28) (Jämaja - place name) This is a unique dance that can not be found elsewhere. It is said that if a full "õlle kapp" (wooden drinking vessel for beer) is carried on the heads of the dancers, they will not spill a drop.
17. Kiigadi Kaagadi (1.45) One of the oldest dances - denotes a swaying motion.
18. Koigi Polka (1.42)
19. Flat foot" Waltz (2.24) Estonian folkloric waltz that differs from other waltzes in that the entire foot is placed flat on the floor.
20. Mulgi Polka (2.22) (place name)
21. Mustjala "High" (1.53) (place name on the island of Saaremaa) There are two basic steps: Mustjala "High", which begins by rising on one's toes and Mustjala "Low", which begins with feet flat on the ground. Two dances: Mustjala "High" and Mustjala "Low" have been named for these two basic dance steps.
22. Squatting Dance (1.36)
23. Finger Polka (2.24)
24. Foot Polka (2.22)
25. Setu Kargus (1.15) Dances from Setu province are among the oldest known Estonian dances. Kargus is not translatable, but a similar word - karge means fresh, cool, such as the early morning air is fresh (karge) This dance has a unique step that is not found in other dances.
26. Tilut Tilut (1.39)
27. Viru Polka (2.05)
28. Viru Waltz (3.11)
29. Vändra Polka (2.57)
30. Kandali (1.53)
31. Coat of stone (2.43) When the Estonian serfs worked for the barons, they would often be whipped. One hot summer haymaking day, a woman put a thick fur coat under her clothing and said: "Let them beat me, I won't feel a thing!" The dance has very slow movements and a weighty feel, with dancers depicting wearing heavy coats.
32. In the sage's threshing-barn (3.55) The oldest known Estonian folk dance, dating back at least 700 years. It is a slow dance, depicting women consulting together (putting their heads together) in the threshing barn.
33. Jacket (2.09) The dance depicts sewing a jacket, from the stitching to the symbolic testing of the strength of the jacket. If the dancers manage to hold together at the end, which is a "crack the whip" type of movement by a line of dancers, then the jacket is strong, if they let go, then the jacket is weak.
34. Running Polka (2.21)
35. Tuljak (2.46) An authentic estonian folk dance, choreographed by Anna Raudkats, to music by Miina Härma, set to a wedding poem by Marie Under. Tuljak is such a wonderful dance, that Swedes have begun to claim it as their own, even though it was created by Estonians.