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Music student Perttu Pölönen had an idea. There are 12 notes in the classical Western scale -what would happen if you placed those notes on a clock face? With this in mind, Pölönen created the Musiclock, which was later reworked into an app. And there is still more to come.

"The music is colourful and captivates the listener, because every sound on the album works – from three fiddlers breathing in unison to the grunge of the rock trio to rich keyboard timbres to the sampled sounds of a jetty squeaking in the waves."

"Cultural exchange is a win-win proposition, and there are plenty of paths to explore for newcomers and old hands alike."

"The sound they achieve together on their third album is quite a blessing, and Timonen offers both jazzy atmosphere as well as some traditional playing."

"What’s a folk song? Freija’s answer is broad enough to include both songs in Kalevala metre and evergreens, and both fit the band very well."

"defunensemble is a Finnish group specialising in electroacoustic music. This new double CD introduces the ensemble’s versatility. One of the discs displays works for solo instruments and electronics, while the other is built around various ensemble configurations."

The nature of folk music has always included the shameless borrowing of refreshing material from elsewhere – right now Baltic Finnish influences are rising to the top in Finland.

Whatever the geopolitical or economic situation, music remains one of the best tools for fostering understanding between peoples. It is the first step across all manner of borders – to the alien, the other.

Concert promoter, journalist and music export researcher Dr Greg Goldenzwaig takes a look at the import-export of rock and pop music between Finland and Russia. Some things have changed for sure in the past ten years.