Folkvoices
Finnish folk song springs from the language and mind, life and nature, history and present and future hopes of this nation. Therein lies its uniqueness. It is our mother tongue. On the other hand, it has always been open to influences from relatives, neighbours and even more distant peoples: as such, it is international. Finnish folk song has enjoyed two great periods of flourish. Firstly, there was the period of runo singing that emerged two or three thousand years ago, featuring trochaic tetrameter and alliteration, the idiom of the Kalevala and a vehicle tor singing anything beyond the realm of everyday life. The songs had no strophic structure; they proceeded line by line or couplet by couplet, using endless and highly expressive variations of melodies with a limited compass. It was a musical world of its own.
Two or three centuries ago, a newer type of music began to make inroads, featuring songs that were more expansive and had a fixed structure: the period of strophic song began. This period continues to this day. Its dominant features include rhyming, and indeed the anticipation of rhyming words is one of its main attractions.
Folk songs tell of a period when everyone was obliged to make his or her own music. Its power is in its linking two different worlds, a mysterious union of Word and Music. In ancient times, folk songs were usually performed by a singer alone. Somewhat over a century ago, a great transition began with the introduction of accompanying instruments to songs. This increased the range of expression in one sense but constrained it in another. However, the old style of singing survived. It continues to be upheld in concerts and clubs, at festivals and parties. Increasing numbers of musicians have dusted otf collections on the archive shelves and sought to experience something of what the ancient singers felt about life. The essence of folk song is and has been that all singers sing with their own voices, listening to their inner selves. Every voice is unique and irreplaceable. Every voice has its own colour, taste and smell: a story to tell. A life history shapes the voice that tells it. That is why the palette of sounds is ageless and infinite.
Producer Sinikka & Matti Kontio
Recorded by Matti & Sinikka Kontio
Mixed by Matti & Sinikka Kontio
1. I heard the voice
Comp. Maari Kallberg, lyrics trad.
Eila Hartikainen: vocals
Maari Kallberg: vocals
Anneli Kont-Rahtola: vocals
Sirkka Kosonen: vocals
Anna-Kaisa Liedes: vocals
Outi Pulkkinen: vocals
Pia Rask: vocals
2. Hunting the devil's elk
Comp. Heikki Laitinen, lyrics Arhippa Perttunen, arr. Matti Kontio.
Matti Kontio: shaman drum
Heikki Laitinen: vocals
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3. Love's poison kills all sorrows
Comp. T. Räme, lyrics Y. Saksa.
Eero Grundström: harmonium and vocals
Taito Hoffrén: vocals and tuba
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4. Tellu's polska
Comp. trad., lyrics trad.
Tellu Turkka: vocals
5. Calling the cows
Comp. Lilja Björkbacka, Signe Luomala, Hilja Mikkola, Signe Ojala, Fiina Valo, lyrics trad., arr. Meri Tiitola.
Meri Tiitola: vocals
6. The origin of fire
Comp. Tiina Kaaresvirta, Petri Korpela, lyrics trad.
Tiina Kaaresvirta: conjuring
Petri Korpela: shaman drum
7. O Christ, King of Glory
Comp. trad., lyrics Hemminki Maskulainen, arr. Pia Rask.
Pia Rask: song
Ritva Talvitie: violin
Timo Valo: harmonium
8. Heikki's polska
Comp. trad., lyrics trad., arr. Heikki Laitinen, Erik Siikasaari.
Heikki Laitinen: vocals
Erik Siikasaari: double bass
9. Meri's polska
Comp. trad., lyrics trad., arr. Ottilia Ilkka, Meri Tiitola.
Meri Tiitola: vocals
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10. One night in the summer I did wander
Comp. Sanna Kurki-Suonio, trad., lyrics Sanna Kurki-Suonio, trad.
Sanna Kurki-Suonio: vocals
11. The bride's weeping
Comp. trad., lyrics trad., arr. Eila Hartikainen, Maari Kallberg, Anneli Kont-Rahtola, Sirkka Kosonen, Anna-Kaisa Liedes, Outi Pulkkinen, Pia Rask.
Eila Hartikainen: vocals
Maari Kallberg: vocals
Anneli Kont-Rahtola: vocals
Sirkka Kosonen: vocals
Anna-Kaisa Liedes: precentor and 10-string kantele
Outi Pulkkinen: vocals
Pia Rask: vocals
12. O mother
Comp. trad., lyrics trad.
Pia Rask: vocals
13. Lucky lad
Comp. trad., lyrics trad.
Heikki Laitinen: vocals
14. I sat on thy bed
Comp. trad., lyrics trad.
Sirkka Kosonen: vocals
15. Why are you sad?
Comp. trad., lyrics trad.
Marianne Maans: vocals
16. A seaman enjoys little esteem
Comp. trad., lyrics trad.
Marianne Maans: vocals
17. Yonder my sweetheart
Comp. trad., lyrics trad.
Tellu Turkka: vocals
18. In the still of the evening
Comp. trad., lyrics trad.
Eero Grundström: harmonium
Taito Hoffrén: vocals and tuba
19. Lully my baby
Comp. Sanna Kurki-Suonio, trad., lyrics Sanna Kurki-Suonio, trad.
Sanna Kurki-Suonio: vocals