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Freshet

Freshet
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Freshet is a Finnish-American collaboration, the result of an idea that occurred simultaneously to Petri Hakala and Ruthie Dornfeld one fine spring day in 2001. While Petri was on tour in Seattle with The Helsinki Mandoliners, their paths crossed for the umpteenth time and it struck them both that it would be a very good idea to play together. So, they invited Finnish bassist Tapani Varis and American guitarist John Miller to the project, and through and international correspondence of music, tapes, CDs, and mp3 files, put together a repertoire. It was an exciting moment when it all came to fruition a year later; we met in Helsinki, broke out our instruments, and played as a band for the very first time. After a wonderful two week tour we knew it couldn't end there. We met in Seattle the following year for another tour, adding some freshly written tunes to the repertoire. In the spring of 2004 we recorded this CD in Finland. Here's to cultural exchange! We hope your enjoy our music.
Publisher: 
OrbDiscs
Publishing year: 
2004
Recording year: 
2004
Recorded by Olli Varis & Kalle Vanhapelto. Mixed by Olli Varis & Petri Hakala. Mastered at Garey Shelton Studio in Seattle, WA.

1. Homenaje a mi Pueblo (Homage to my Town)

Comp. Macario Gonzalez.

Ruthie found this tune on a wonderful Venezuelan recording of double fiddle waltzes.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

2. Cranberry Hill

Comp. Tapani Varis.

A bossa nova Tapani named after a country outing with his daughter, Siiri, in which they found cranberries not in a bog, but atop a hill.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

3. Orphan Polska

Comp. trad.

Collected in the 1890s by Ilmari Krohn and first published in his book, Old Fiddle Tunes, in the early 1900s.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

4. East End

Comp. John Miller.

Peter Matthiessen's novel, "Far Tortuga", provided the title for John's tune. In the book, the East End of Grand Cayman Island is a place where the old ways, Obeah, are practiced.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

5. A Slip of Blue

Comp. John Miller.

A slip jig that plays fast and loose with the rhythmic feel.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

6. Hannuland

Comp. Ruthie Dornfeld.

A polska named in honor of Timo Hannula, a big-spirited violinist, violin teacher and music festival organizer who does so much to keep the town of Haapavesi, in central Finland, filled with music.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

7. Across the Churchyard

Comp. Petri Hakala.

Petri originally composed this beautiful air for a trio of mandolins.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

8. Purple Sea

Comp. Timo Alakotila.

The great Finnish composer and keyboardist Timo Alakotila, with his distinctive harmonic and rhythmic sense, wrote this tune for us.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

9. Shortcut

Comp. Tapani Varis.

Tapani plays overtone flute here in a trio with Ruthie and Petri.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

10. Plowboy

Comp. Petri Hakala.

Petri composed this tune very shortly before the recording, and the band immediately took to it.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

11. Luz (Light)

Comp. John Miller.

In this samba John creates a long form with a churning rhythm and the melody floating serenely over it.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

12. A Labyrinth

Comp. Petri Hakala.

A chorinho, in a duet with Petri and John.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

13. Willow

Comp. Tapani Varis.

Tapani has been inspired by French medieval music, and this tune reflects that spirit.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

14. Fancy Squirrel / The Plover

Comp. Ruthie Dornfeld.

Two polkas, the first named for a stylish little fellow we saw foraging outside a Finnish cottage, and the second after the kildeer family that nests on the roof of Ruthie's house every year.

Ruthie Dornfeld: fiddle
Petri Hakala: mandolin
John Miller: guitar
Tapani Varis: bass

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