This release is the world's first recording of Estonia's first major work of art music in its original score and sung in Estonian. Rudolf Tobias is widely celebrated in Estonia as the "father of Estonian music". In this recording, his major work, the oratorio "Joonas", is performed by a first-class Estonian ensemble under the direction of the award-winning Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and conductor Tonu Kaljuste.

Tobias began the first drafts of the oratorio between 1904 and 1907 and later revised the score, orchestrated it and made extensive changes. The final version was premiered on November 26, 1909 in St. Andrew's Church in Leipzig under the direction of the composer himself, later only in parts. in 1973, the manuscripts of "Jonah" were reconstructed by musicologist Vardo Rumessen and Yuri Fortunatov, re-orchestrated in sections and given a new ending. For this new recording, the original score by Rudolf Tobias has been used for the first time, revealing the composer's original voice in this iconic work of Estonian music.

Grammy-winning Tonu Kaljuste founded the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra and is once again its chief conductor. The orchestra's diverse repertoire includes music from the Baroque to works by modern composers. Kaljuste has worked with important composers from Northern and Eastern Europe, including Alfred Schnittke, György Kurtag, Krzysztof Penderecki, Giya Kancheli and Einojuhani Rautavaara, and is considered an expert in the interpretation and promotion of Estonian composers such as Arvo Pärt, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Tonu Korvits, Veljo Tormis and Heino Eller.

The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir is one of the best-known Estonian music ensembles and performs worldwide. It has been awarded two Grammys and received 16 Grammy nominations as well as numerous other awards.