I’ve recently been listening to more Estonian music and came across Duo Ruut featuring Ann-Lisett Rebane and Katariina Kivi. They play an Estonian zither (rahvakannel), but what makes them different is how they play it – together as one instrument using four hands. This means they can create both percussive and acoustic sounds in ways you may not have heard before. Their singing is equally captivating.
Their bio states that the zither “offered many options to invent and master new techniques. Composing on one instrument sets very narrow limits, so it became the main challenge for Duo Ruut to let their imagination out of the box and pack their music full of new and exciting ideas.”
Just listening and watching them perform Nightingale below is proof that they have succeeded in letting their imagination run free. It features on their latest EP Kulla Kerguse, and is a traditional ballad known by other names, including One Morning in May.
Read more about Duo Ruut here: https://www.duoruut.ee/en