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Now
celebrating their 20th anniversary, Värttinä is Finland's
most successful contemporary folk music group -
distinguished for inventing a roots-based vocal/instrumental style
that is unlike anything Finland (or, in fact, the World) had heard
before the group's arrival on the scene . Effortlessly blending
ancient Finnish runo poetry, distinctive Finno-Ugric vocal
harmonies, traditional and contemporary acoustic instrumentation,
complex and uncommon rhythms, original and highly imaginative
compositions and arrangements plus a front line of four dynamic
female singers, Värttinä stand alone as innovators, with eight
groundbreaking albums and more than a decade of international
touring under their belt.
The
singers voices and unique harmonies are the group's main attraction
- a style all their own, but with deep roots in the Finno-Ugric
women’s singing tradition of the Karelia,
Setu, Mari Republic, Ingria, Mordva and others eastern tribes. One
key feature of these styles is extremely close harmonies, so close
that they usually seem quite strange to un-tuned western ears. But
it’s the singers’ own presentation that makes assimilation of
this complex style so easy. These four young ladies explode with a
natural spirit of fun and honest joy in singing and performing,
running the gamut of emotions. From the sinister drama of songs like
“Äijö” (a traditionally based piece which tells of a
crazy old man who casts a spell on a poisonous viper), to the
high-spirited dance music of “Laulutyttö” and the
exaltations of a young girl born to sing, to the gentle lullaby of
“Milja”, Värttinä 's singers and musicians deliver
exhilarating performances.
The
evolution of Värttinä is almost as fascinating as their
music. In 1983, a small group of preteen girls in the Karelia
region of Eastern Finland, led by sisters Sari and Mari Kaasinen,
begun to recite and sing old Karelian traditional poetry and songs,
accompanying themselves on kantele, the Finnish national zither-like
instrument. Originally, the project was just for fun but quickly the
girls’ goal became to revive almost forgotten traditional Karelian
songs and to present them in new ways. Before long the group had
grown to 21-strong with six young boys joining in and featuring
modern instruments like accordion, saxophone, double bass and guitar
with the singers’ numbers reaching fifteen. Tired of simple
recitation and ordinary singing, the singers quickly shifted to a
more aggressive and powerful vocal style; loud, almost shouting. The
entire concept was new to folk music and to Finland, and the
provocative and young group rapidly gained national recognition.
After
six years of remarkable domestic success the mature Värttinä
streamlined to a ten-piece, keeping five singers in the front line
and recruiting some of Finland’s top roots and rock players. The
emphasis shifted to a more pop/rock approach (albeit still 100%
acoustic), a more compact vocal sound, more sophisticated
arrangements and even more provocative lyrics. The result was a
smash hit album Oi Dai which was an overnight Finnish
success, instantly reaching gold status (today certified platinum).
Since
then, Värttinä has progressed and evolved to greater heights of
sophistication and skill, with original compositions (based on
traditional styles and elements) more elaborate arrangements and
instrumentation. Their subsequent albums Seleniko and Aitara
brought the group international acclaim including foreign license
deals and numerous tours and concerts. Personnel changes have
occurred over the years, including departure of founder Sari
Kaasinen in 1996, but each change brings new vitality and creative
energy to the band and results in each album being superior to the
previous. Today, three original members remain in the Värttinä
line-up.
Värttinä
's
sixth album Kokko, released globally on the Nonesuch label
and their seventh album Vihma released by Wicklow/BMG, were
their first two ventures into the exploration of Karelian runo
songs. Runos are ancient sung verses with a particular repetitive,
alliterative style and there are literally thousands in Karelian
folklore. Runo texts and imagery gave Värttinä greater depth and
emotion to their music, inspired even more imaginative compositions
and arrangements and propelled them to the peak of their creativity.
Värttinä 's latest studio album Ilmatar, produced by
Frenchman Hughes de Courson, is unanimously acclaimed as the
pinnacle of the group's career, featuring complex and dynamic
vocals, and Värttinä 's most adventurous compositions
to date allowing the music to breathe like never before.
As
innovative and progressive as Värttinä recorded music is, their
concerts are highlighted by an atmosphere of sheer fun. Drama and
dance music segue in and out of each other for a live experience
like no other. In 2001, Värttinä released their first live
album, entitled 6.12, recorded live at Helsinki's Savoy
Theatre. This high quality recording showcases Värttinä 's
brilliant capabilities as singers and performers and presents new
live arrangements of many of the group's most popular songs.
Both the drama and the joy of Värttinä concerts are presented in
this excellent recording which clearly illustrates the multiple
dynamics of the band.
In
celebration of their 20th anniversary and in promotion of the Spring
release of their new cd Iki, Värttinä is planning to
tour North America once again for the 2003/2004 season.
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