Jonas Tarm and Jim Ashilevi explore the pull of home in new choral work

Estonian composer Jonas Tarm and writer Jim Ashilevi have created “Kauge kaja” (“Distant Echo”), a choral work about longing, home, memory and belonging, ERR reported. Tarm said the piece could bring listeners closer to someone or something they miss.

Released on August 14, the five-minute-41-second work for choir and piano was composed and conducted by Tarm. Its first recording features the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and pianist Karolina Aavik.

Commissioned by the New York Estonian Mixed Choir, “Kauge kaja” received its world premiere on February 21, 2026, at the New York Estonian House during celebrations marking the anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. Tarm conducted the premiere. The Tallinn Chamber Choir performed the work on April 26 at the chamber hall of the Estonian National Opera in Tallinn.

“Kauge kaja” follows a journey towards a sense of home, Tarm said. “Home can be a place, a person, a language, a landscape or a memory. I hope the music brings listeners closer to something or someone they miss.”

The work draws on Estonia’s choral music tradition and uses images of the sea, wind, flight, moonlight and return. The choir and piano are equal dramatic partners, shaping an intimate sound world that moves between distance and closeness.

At the centre of the piece is Ashilevi’s original Estonian text, which follows an emotional journey through separation, memories and the possibility of return.

“My hope is that ‘Kauge kaja’ helps listeners feel that the people, places and experiences that truly matter to us never really disappear,” Ashilevi said. “Even if we can no longer return to them, their voices remain with us, offering comfort and a sense that we are connected throughout life. I hope this work reminds us of what carries us forward.”

Ashilevi said the song was about longing. His friendship with Tarm has lasted for decades.

“Our friendship began 32 years ago, although I do not remember much from the very beginning,” Tarm said. “The friendship has changed and grown over the years.”

Ashilevi recalled that the two began communicating more regularly after Tarm had read one of his books. Ashilevi’s sister had been Tarm’s schoolmate. “It is completely absurd and very nice that my book brought us together again,” he said.

The pair held regular writing sessions and created the work piece by piece before reaching the recording stage, Ashilevi said.

Tarm said composers today generally take an existing text and write music for it, but he was interested in creating something entirely original. “It was a very exciting experience to create this song together with Jim. Jim was very nervous,” he said.

For Ashilevi, the process was also a learning experience because choral songs require rhyme. “Words do not exist in a vacuum, but become an organic part of a musical work. I had never thought about that before,” he said.

Tarm moved to the United States at the age of 10, but said he had felt longing from a very early age. The work contains several perspectives because people experience such feelings differently, he said.

“We wanted the song to express longing in a way that connects with each listener from a slightly different angle,” Ashilevi said. “For some people, home is not a geographical point at all, but is connected to a person or an event in life. For others, the whole world is home. To grow as a person, you sometimes have to move beyond your safe nest, and that is when things start to become clear.”