VLY - Väikeste Lõõtspillide Ühing - Association of Little Accordions

 On June 23. 1989 Raido Koppel, Mati Kiviselg and Marko Matvere had the first public performance with the present name. All members played on very little accordions (made for children) and it happened in Pärnu, a town in SW Estonia. In choosing the name and mode of operation example was taken from citizens voluntary movements, widespread in Estonia in the beginning of the 20. century.

Already in a few years VLY had a repertoire, that was more than could be performed during one nihgt. At these times the share of songs was rather small. Main rythms were walz, polka, rheinländer. Also the tunes of the most popular folk songs were played. The membership of the group was extended by Joel Sarv - violin, Erkki-Kalle Esop - bass and Mait Seger - drums. Mati left the group in summer 2003, in winter 2004 Sander Udikas - clarinet, sax, whistles - joined the group and Aivar Vassiljev - percussion - replaced Mait Seger.

The first recording titled "Väikeste Lõõtspillide Ühing" was published in 1995. The group was invited to perform at bigger events, so amplification became inevitable. Also bigger instruments were taken into use. By the time more modern folk songs (not over 100 years old) formed the majority of the repertoire. New pieces were heard either from traditional singers or searched for in the archives.

By now the best of the repertoire is made up of seamen's songs as well as of newly written pieces in the similar atmosphere.  

You can listen to VLY songs and read the lyrics. You'll find the songs with the albums on which they were published. The versions you hear on the website are intended to be as an introduction to our music and are therefore not Hi-Fi quality ;-( If you like it, feel free to ask for our CD-s :-)