Philomela – Satakieli

Philomela and Anna-Mari Kähärä have been working together for many years on various projects, and the co-operation continues also this year with new pieces from Kähärä. Minna Canth’s series ”Kaikki naiset älkööt tehkö käsitöitä” (All Women Shall Not Make Crafts), including three colorful pieces: ”Työn jako täytyy tulla” (The Division of Work Must Come), ”Jumalan valtakunta on suuri” (The Kingdom of God is Great), and ”Jospahan tulisi” (If It Would Come) will be heard at this concert, as well as other Kärärä’s compositions, including material from the new album created together with Kähärä.

Samsara album that was made with love in the spring of 2018 contains only Kähärä’s compositions and arrangements. Samsara is the life cycle with the spirit of Finnish forests, whispers of the wilderness, and all the joys and sorrows of human life. Anna-Mari Kähärä, who also produced the album, describes the album by themes of birth, death, love and parting.

Philomela

Philomela, based in Helsinki, was founded in 1984 and celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. Philomela is focused on Finnish and Nordic music, often based on folklore. Councellor of Music, Marjukka Riihimäki, has conducted the choir from the beginning with great passion. She emphasizes appealing melodies, versatile use of voice and bold expression. She is said to be able to play the choir like an instrument.
Philomela breaks the traditions of choral singing and always wants to surprise its audience in a special way. The choir creates a special musical experience between the audience and the choir in every concert. Over the years, the choir has won several choir competitions and has exported Finnish female choir music all over the world. In 2013 and 2014, Philomela achieved its Championship Titles in the European Choir Games and the World Choir Games. In 2001, the choir won the Grand Prix prize at The Tampere Vocal Music Festival.