Rajaton a cappella vocal group

Vocal ensemble Rajaton, founded in autumn 1997, is a professional a cappella group with six singers (SSATBarB). Its objective from the first was to attain an international level in ensemble singing and to enrich the Finnish a cappella scene with their approach to choral music. Indeed, that they have done. The group´s members are experienced choral singers, and their diverse musical backgrounds contribute to the musical expression of the ensemble. Most of the singers have studied singing either at the Sibelius-Academy or at the Pop/Jazz Conservatory in Helsinki, Finland.

In accordance with its basic concept, Rajaton primarily performs music written especially for the group. As its name shows (rajaton = boundless), its musical scale ranges from sacred music to pop and from folk music to contemporary concert music. At the moment, their repertoire consists mostly of settings of texts by Finnish and foreign poets written for the ensemble by young Finnish choral composers. Rajaton also performs new arrangements of Finnish and foreign folk songs.

Rajaton gives concerts in their home city of Helsinki a few times a year and in other parts of Finland on demand. They mostly perform in private occasions. Rajaton sings frequently in different companies´ and organisations´ official events as well as in weddings and other private parties.

Rajaton participated in the international vocal ensemble competition at the Tampere Choir Festival (Finland) in the summer of 1999 and won the first prize, the Grand Prix. This was an impressive achievement considering that all the jury members were foreign (chaired by John Potter) and that Rajaton sang only their own material – in Finnish.

Rajaton made its first appearance abroad as an invited performer at the Cork International Choral Festival (Ireland) in April 2000, where they had an extremely enthousiastic welcome both by the audiences and the international choral participants. The ensemble’s debut disc "Nova" was also named "album of the week" in one of the shows on the Irish national classical radio station, Lyric FM and has been released in Ireland.

Discography

Maa

Finnish a cappella ensemble Rajaton, returns to their Finnish folk roots, releasing their 8th CD on the occasion of their 10th anniversary. The Finnish word "Maa," which can be translated as earth, country, dirt, land - complements the return to their roots theme. Here are 12 lovely songs, all in Finnish and all composed and arranged by group members. "Nouse lauluni," which translates "Rise up, my song" (the beautiful full-color liner notes thankfully contain English translations of all the lyrics), "Oin ja paivin," (By night and by day), "Tasangot," (The plains) and "Villihanhen laulu," (Song of the wild goose) are immediate favorites; subtle and mysterious, soft at first and building to crescendos, sweet and heartbreaking. Knowing the translated lyrics is interesting but not really necessary - the feeling of these tunes, the melancholy, longing and depth of these poems touches and moves us. The music for the final track, "Valse triste" was written by the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius who died 50 years ago, the recording also honors Finland's 90 years as an independent nation. Sibelius' piece is performed wonderfully, in fact we felt the need to listen to each of these 12 vocal gems again to fully appreciate "Maa."

Out of Bounds

We have heard (and appreciated) many of the songs on "Out of Bounds" by Finnish mixed sextet Rajaton on previous releases. For example, the haunting Irish folk tune "Dobbin's Flowery Vale," the sassy, funny, latin-beat "Un-Wishing Well," "We Walk In A Fog" with its flawless faux horns, a manic cover of Lennon/McCartney's "Lady Madonna" and a gorgeous, floating "Butterfly" are all from the group's 2nd CD "Boundless," but these are not merely reissues. "Dobbin's," the wordless opening cut, has been re-arranged to touch us on an even deeper level, and Swedish Jazz legends The Real Group guest star on "We Walk In A Fog,"—and it's as good as you can imagine. "Vanishing Act" was recorded in Finnish as "Kivinen tie," "Salty Water" as "Venelaulu" and "Snow" as "Lunta" on "Kevat;" all feature spanking new English lyrics. Even the harmonic gem "Mita kaikatat, kivonen?" from "Nova" gets a fresh treatment. New songs include Anuna's Michael McGlynn's "The Wild Song" (originally written for Rajaton, but recorded first by Anuna), Mia Makaroff's jazzy pop "How Little" and a marvelous Sting cover, "I Was Brought to My Senses." If you were possibly kept from falling in love with Rajaton because they weren't "accessible" (you didn't understand Finnish), you are now free to hold in your hand a collection of this amazing group's finest works in perfect English, complete with the harmonies and arrangements that have been blowing us away for five previous CDs (and one hot DVD) now. Enough said!

Rajaton with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra: Sings Abba

What a great idea! Rajaton is one of Finland's most highly regarded vocal ensembles and it's only natural that they should want to sing the repertoire of the biggest musical group to ever come out of the region. ABBA songs are well suited for interpretations by vocal groups and the collaboration with the world-class Lahti Symphony Orchestra really pays dividends. Perennial favorites such as "Dancing Queen", "Waterloo" and "Mama Mia" are given a fresh treatment and these and other ABBA songs are already showing their timelessness and enduring charm. A Scandinavian treat!

Kevat

Rajaton is an a cappella mixed sextet (3 women, 3 men) based in Helsinki, Finland, founded in 1997, that primarily performs music written especially for the group. Their CDs are elegant, intelligent, poised and confident masterpieces that recall the breezy perfection and song selection of The Real Group. As with early RG CDs were all or mostly sung in Swedish, and it didn't bother us a bit, "Kevat" is all in Finnish and again we hardly notice—focusing instead on the innovative vocal percussion and background vocals. 11 finely-crafted tunes, some favorites: the bluesy, rhythmic "Lunta," the salsa-flavored "Kertosakeen nainen," the dramatic, stunning "Sydan ei vastaa," the precisely-arranged harmonic gem "Jos sanot," the delicate "Kauniimpaa" and the moody "Hopeaa hiuksillaan." But "Kevat" is to be listened to first for enjoyment, and subsequent times to appreciate how such a full, rich, expressive sound is created by these 6 human voices. Being amazed is also acceptable!

Joulu

"Joulu" contains new and old Finnish Christmas music in Finnish only. All the liner notes and song titles are in Finnish, but the music speaks for itself quite eloquently. On this double album the first disc is a studio album with six new songs and five new arrangements of well known Christmas carols. Three of them are known globally: Jingle Bells, Christmas Song (by Mel TormÈ) and Silent Night. The second album was recorded in a church and contains both classical Finnish Christmas choral pieces by Sibelius, Madetoja, Palmgren and others and contemporary music as well as new arrangements of two traditionals. The three men and three women of Rajaton have a bright, smooth, confident, infectious sound that leaves us wanting to hear more. From the vocal trumpets on the opening cut "Joululaulu" and marvelous vocal percussion on "Pukki tietaa," to the sweet, soaring "En etsi valtaa, loistoa" and "Jouluhymni," each song is a perfect, harmonic jewel. We have been very impressed with previous Rajaton CDs, and "Joulu" is another recommended winner! Nice full-color individual photos of the group in the liner notes.

Sanat

'Rajaton' in Finnish means 'boundless,' a good description of the talent of this vocal jazz septet! 'Sanat' is the third excellent CD to reach us, and most of the songs are again in Finnish, with four in perfect English, 'Were You There,' 'Nearer My God To Thee,' 'Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel' and 'Weary In Well-Doing.' The group got together as music students at the renowned Sibelius Academy or at Helsinki's Pop/Jazz Conservatory, and almost immediately began performing live and winning major awards. Their repertoire on previous CDs consisted of their own and others' original compositions, jazz versions of Finnish folk tunes, and poetry put to music. 'Sanat' focuses on another dimension of the group, their deep Christian spirituality. Their sound remains fresh and spirited, harmonically complex; with incredibly perfect bell-like tones. The extensive liner notes present the words in Swedish and English. 'Sanat' is a beautiful CD, the best yet from yet another amazing Scandinavian vocal group!

Boundless

Rajaton is a world-class Finnish vocal jazz septet, and this is their second CD (their first, "Nova," is also excellent). They sing jazz renditions of their own and others' original compositions, Finnish folk songs and poetry put to music. The two Finnish folk songs, "Armahan kulku" and "Kaipaava" are sung in Finnish, the rest are in flawless English. Following the tradition of brilliant Scandinavian vocal jazz groups, Rajaton's sound is bright and clean, harmonically complex, spirited and perfect. The colorful liner notes contain all the words, and lovely photos of the group. Eleven songs: "Butterfly," "Un-Wishing Well," "The Lark In the Clear Air," "We Walk In a Fog," Lennon/McCartney's "Lady Madonna," "Dobbin's Flowery Vale," "Summer Song," "Poison Tree," "You Can't Stop Me," and the two folk songs. A breath of fresh, jazzy air from Finland!

Nova

We don't quite know why, perhaps it's the good beer, but those Scandinavian countries sure know how to produce wonderful a cappella vocal jazz groups. Rajaton are a highly talented septet whose members are experienced choral singers with diverse musical backgrounds, most of whom studied singing either at the Sibelius-Academy or at the Pop/Jazz Conservatory in Helsinki. 1999 winners of the Grand Prix at the Tampere Choir Festival they sing jazz versions of Finnish folk songs, poetry and original compositions and are of a world class caliber. We like this recording very much and the arrangements and quality of singing are exceptional. English lyrics included in the liner notes.

4438 CD $15.98

Joulu (DVD)

We've been raving about Finnish mixed sextet Rajaton for their first 5 CDs now, their bright, smooth, poised sound only leaves us wanting to hear more! "Joulu" is a live concert, recorded in Helsinki in 2003, 17 tunes from their Christmas CD "Joulu," which features new songs and new arrangements of traditional Finnish Christmas songs. Watching the six on stage, first dressed all in white and later in the show in matching black and silver outfits, we have to say that their show is as elegant and impressive as any a cappella show we've seen. Some favorites are "Joulu" are the wonderful vocal trumpets on the opening cut "Joululaulu," the exquisite, high-flying "En etsi valtaa, loistoa," "Kulkuset," "Lumisade," the vocal percussion gem "Pukki tietaa, and the only song in English, Lennon/McCartney's "Lady Madonna," (great solos and some mean air-guitar) one of 5 bonus tracks. The solo talents of each of the six are seamlessly presented, for instance with the group walking in a circle and the next in line stepping into a breathtaking solo as another finishes. We of course don't understand Finnish, but we understand poise, and harmony, and blend, and the magic that a talented ensemble at the height of their creative powers can create. And with this DVD we are blessed to be able to watch them do it instead of merely listening!

Watch a video

Rajaton:
Christmas medley

This fabulous vocal group from Finland sings a medley of Christmas favorites (1.27)

Rajaton:
Joululaulu

This Finnish group is one of the most accomplished vocal groups performing today. (4.33)

Rajaton:
Kivinen tie

A music video from their release "Kevat". (3.43)

Rajaton:
Lady Madonna

The great Finnish vocal group in concert ()

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Rajaton

Discography

Maa

Out of Bounds

Rajaton with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra: Sings Abba

Kevat

Joulu

Sanat

Boundless

Nova

Joulu (DVD)

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