Estonian singer and composer Mari Kalkun has long been recognised for her ability to reinterpret the folk traditions of Võru and South Estonia with sensitivity and imagination. Her latest release, Stories of Stonia Live, offers a new perspective on material originally recorded for her 2023 studio album Stories of Stonia, which marked her debut on Real World Records. This live version of “Tõistmuudu”, featuring the Estonian National Male Choir, stands out for its expansive sound and emotional immediacy.

The live arrangement brings together Kalkun’s expressive, meditative vocal delivery with the choir’s rich, resonant harmonies. While the original track was already rooted in runosong traditions and layered with contemporary elements, the live version deepens that balance. Several other tracks on the album also feature the choir, offering distinct interpretations that highlight the difference between studio precision and live energy.

Kalkun sees the live recordings as documents of connection — moments from a tour that has taken these songs to over twenty countries. “For me these are not just concert recordings,” she says, “but shared experiences with audiences who may not speak my language, yet meet me in music.”

“Tõistmuudu” doesn’t just echo tradition; it’s shaped by movement, shaped by others, and in the end, shaped by the act of singing itself.

You can listen to and order your copy of the live album HERE