Philomela Female Choir
The Helsinki-based women's choir Philomela was started in 1984 at the instigation of the Helsinki Chapter of the Finnish Amateur Musicians' Association (SULASOL) and the Culture Board of the City of Helsinki. Philomela has 45 members, half of whom are students and the other half already in working life. Philomela aspires to perform choral music as extensively and ambitiously as possible. The choir aims at mastering both traditional and modern music, sacred masses and light music, singing styles originating from the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala, as well as the works of contemporary composers, many of whom have dedicated works to Philomela. The choir is known for its experimental choreographies and its chameleon-like ability to transform its style and appearance according to each occasion and venue. In spring 1998, the choir appeared in the Helsinki City Theatre production of The Sound of Music. PhilomelaÕs goals were set high at the outset. Due to goal-oriented work, the choir has risen to the top of Finnish choral music, and it has also received acclaim abroad. Philomela has produced numerous radio recordings, and in 1991 it received the Amateur Music Award of the Finnish Broadcasting Corporation (YLE). In the same year, Philomela was nominated Choir of the Year by the Finnish Women's Choir Association.
Philomela's conductor, Marjukka Riihimaki, graduated from th Sibelius Academy of Music in 1974. Presently she is teacher at the Sibelius College in Helsinki and also conducts the Klemetti Institute's Women's Choir and Grex Musicus Mixed Choir and in 1993 she was the winner of the prestigious Klemetti Prize. She is characterized as one of the most prominent choir conductors in Finland today, a pioneer of female choir singing and inspiring instructor at domestic and international choir seminars.
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Sadelaulu |
Finland is full of folk traditions and epic poems which are great sources for Finnish music. Philomela performs pieces that draw on their rich literary culture. From the folk poetry of the town of Ilomantsi and the epic poem Kanteletar to the modern poetry of Jukka Itkonen, Viljo Kojo and Unto Kupiainen, composers Anna-Mari Kahara, Liisa Matveinen and others have created striking new music which is infused with the flavor of the Baltic region.
Listen to Samsara in Real Audio
| 7282 CD $15.98 |
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Ave Verum Corpus (Francis Poulenc) |
Internationally acclaimed womens' choir Philomela charms with their release Philomela in Dreams. Included are "Ave Verum Corpus," by Francis Poulenc, "Suite de Lorca, by Einojuhani Rautavaara and "Dreams," by Erik Bergman. Like the title suggests, these pieces are very dreamlike in quality with floating sonorities that seem to melt together. With a variety of rarely heard works, this recordings further enhances the reputation that Finland has earned as a country with a wonderful choral tradition.
Listen to Missa Brevis in Real Audio
| 7169 CD $15.98 |
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The earth is beautiful |
Renowned for its versatility, Philomela has, ever since it was formed in 1984, adopted an innovative approach to choral expression under its conductor Marjukka Riihimaki. Its many awards have included the Grand Prix in the Chorus Review of Tampere Vocal Music Festival, and in recent years it has regularly been invited to sing at international festivals. Recently Philomela decided to explore the potential for adding new songs to the Finnish stock of Christmas carols without violating the traditional Christmas spirit. It therefore commissioned songs on the Christmas theme from composers it had worked with before and were familiar with Philomela's style. They also included some more traditional Finnish Christmas music as well and this resulting recording is a true a cappella pleasure.
Listen to Song of Mary in Real Audio
| 3173 CD $15.95 |
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