Two Ruhnuites in particular have been especially important to Karoliina, Sänni, and Lee’s musical discoveries:
Elias Schönberg and his son Peeter Rooslaid (born Schönberg), whose recordings they’ve used to learn Ruhnu’s traditional music. Elias’s tunes were recorded on his home island and his son was recorded on the neighboring island of Kihnu in the 1960s, during which he also performed several wedding tunes from his father’s repertoire.
Elias was a masterful musician whose unique ornamentation and repertoire make his style clearly distinct from both the Estonian and Swedish folk traditions. Following in his father’s footsteps, Peeter’s dynamic bowing technique and impeccable rhythm are outstanding in turn.
However, these two talented musicians did not limit their self-expression to notes alone – both were also silversmiths. Elias fled Ruhnu in 1944 and ultimately reached Gotland, where he bought a homestead. There, he worked as a mechanic at the Slite Cement Plant and did silversmithing at his home forge. Peeter remained on Ruhnu, where among other activities he crafted magnetic ship compasses that made him famed throughout Estonia.
Photo taken from: http://kultuurielu.ruhnu.ee