Archives of FMQ - Finnish Music Quarterly

Ville Ojanen goes intimate with a luxury lineup

Ville Ojanen goes intimate with a luxury lineup

Ville Ojanen goes intimate with a luxury lineup

"The tunes are close to traditional danceable folk music (from different regions) but always with personal twists and turns."

Tove Djupsjöbacka

February 5, 2021

Tradition is an inexhaustible source of joy

Tradition is an inexhaustible source of joy

Tradition is an inexhaustible source of joy

"Sväng have now returned to their roots in a refreshing and energetic rediscovery of tradition – an inexhaustible source of joy."

Amanda Kauranne

February 5, 2021

Rich re-interpretation of early music

Rich re-interpretation of early music

Rich re-interpretation of early music

"Ensemble Gamut!'s repertoire ranges from daringly and freshly arranged folk songs to Medieval and Renaissance compositions. Improvisation and electronics are also included."

Riikka Hiltunen

February 5, 2021

Frigg sounding brilliantly like Frigg

Frigg sounding brilliantly like Frigg

Frigg sounding brilliantly like Frigg

"Twenty years, ten albums, tours around the world, awards and nominations at home and rave reviews abroad: Frigg can justly be described as one of the greatest success stories in Finnish folk music."

Riikka Hiltunen

February 5, 2021

Daily life and versatile musical dialogues

Daily life and versatile musical dialogues

Daily life and versatile musical dialogues

"The debut album of kantele player and singer-songwriter Marjo Smolander is an interesting combination of different musical collaborations."

Tove Djupsjöbacka

February 5, 2021

Archaic-modern invitation to dance

Archaic-modern invitation to dance

Archaic-modern invitation to dance

"This trio has once again produced a visionary album with a great deal of variety. The swing is often infectious – one longs to dance at a live gig performed by this band! "

Riikka Hiltunen

February 5, 2021

This tradition goes to eleven!

This tradition goes to eleven!

This tradition goes to eleven!

"This is a stunning début that serves as textbook study in how to keep one’s own tradition alive in today’s urban and multicultural world."

Amanda Kauranne

February 5, 2021

Taking the lament tradition into here and now

Taking the lament tradition into here and now

Taking the lament tradition into here and now

"Also the real thing is included, with Kuittinen sometimes letting her voice go all rough and raw, affected by grief. Her voice does not always sound beautiful, but that surely feels like a welcome experience when surrounded by the slick music production sound of the 2020s."

Tove Djupsjöbacka

February 5, 2021

Folk song with soul

Folk song with soul

Folk song with soul

"The group dextrously takes up some of the most worn classics of Finnish folk music [- -] and brings up a completely new and compelling aspect. Otra’s arrangements are surprising, fresh and adventurous."

Amanda Kauranne

February 5, 2021