Maria Faust Sacrum Facere

Maria Faust is an Estonian composer and reeds player based in Denmark. Her project "Sacrum Facere" is a notable example of her work, released in 2014. This album is a song cycle inspired by Estonian folklore, particularly the traditional singing from the Setu region near the Russian border. The music combines contemporary classical composition with free improvisation, featuring an ensemble that includes brass, woodwinds, prepared piano, and the Estonian folk harp known as the kannel. The album showcases Faust's ability to blend different musical styles and highlight the unique voices of each musician involved.

In "Sacrum Facere," Faust explores a range of emotions and musical textures, from the meditative to the dramatic. Tracks like "Epp" and "Hiie" evoke a spiritual atmosphere reminiscent of fellow Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, while pieces like "Tui" and "Virve" offer more space for improvisation. The album concludes with an arrangement of the traditional Estonian piece "Itk," sung by Anna Vabarna, accompanied by the ensemble. This work demonstrates Faust's rich musical language and her passion for blending traditional and contemporary elements.