Music of Finland

Themusic of Finlandcan be roughly divided intofolk music,classicaland contemporary art music, and contemporary popular music.

The folk music ofFinlandbelongs to a broader musical tradition, common amongstBalto-Finnic people,sung in the so-calledKalevalametre. Though folk songs of the old variety became progressively rarer in western Finland, they remained common in far eastern parts of the country, mainly Savonia andKarelia.After the publication ofKalevala,this music gained popularity again. In the west, mainstreamNordic folk musictraditions prevail. TheSami peopleof northern Finland have their own musical traditions, known asSami music.Finnish folk music has undergone aroots revival,and has become a part of popular music.

In the field of classical and contemporary art music, Finland has produced exceptional numbers of musicians and composers.

Contemporary popular music includes aheavy metalscene like other Nordic countries, as well as prominentrockandpopbands,jazzmusicians,hip hopperformers and makers ofdance music.ASchlagerscene with bandstand dancing shows that the local variety oftangois popular.

Folk music

The two major traditions of folk music in Finland areKalevalaandNordic folk musicorpelimanni(North Germanicspelman,"player of music" ).

Kalevala

Kalevalais older. Its most important form is runonlaulanta ( "poem singing", or chanting), traditionally performed in atrochaic tetrametreusing only the first five notes on a scale. Viaalliteration,this type of singing tells stories about heroes such asVäinämöinen,Lemminkäinen,andKullervo.The songs were memorised, not written down, and performed by a soloist, or by a soloist and a chorus inantiphony.TheVantaa Chamber Choiris an example of a choir that sings such poems in modern arrangements. Traditional Finnish instruments include thekantele,which is achordophone,and was used in the 'Kalevala'by the heroVäinämöinen.More primitive instruments like thejouhikko(abowedlyre) and thesäkkipilli(Finnishbagpipe) had fallen into disuse, but are now finding new popularity in a folk revival.

Värttinäis a modern group more focused onKalevalasinging traditions and thekantele.

Suomen laulu sung by a choir in 1929.

Pelimanni

The folk music bandJPPat the 2015Kaustinen Folk Music FestivalinKaustinen, Finland

Pelimannimusic is the Finnish version ofNordic folk dance music,and it istonal.It came to Finland from Central Europe viaScandinaviain the 17th century, and in the 19th century, it replaced theKalevalaic tradition.Pelimanniwas generally played on thefiddleand clarinet. Later, theharmoniumandaccordionswere added. Common dances in thePelimannitraditions include:polka,mazurka,schottische,quadrille,waltz,andminuet.

A form of rhyming sleighride singing calledrekilaulualso became popular in the 17th century. Despite opposition from most of the churches in Finland, rekilaulu remained popular and is today a common element in pop songs.Since the 1920s, several popular Finnish performers have used rekilaulu as an integral part of their repertoire. Early pioneers in this field of pop rekilaulu includedArthur Kylander,while Erkki Rankaviita,Kuunkuiskaajat,and Pinnin Pojat sustained the tradition.

Early in the 20th century, the region ofKaustinenbecame a center of innovation forPelimannimusic. Friiti Ojala and Antti Järvelä were fiddlers of the period.Konsta Jylhäand the other members of Purpuripelimannit (formed in 1946) became perhaps the most influential group of this period. Well-known Finnish folk music groups of today in the Kaustinen tradition includeJPP,Frigg(although part Norwegian), and Troka. Another important folk musician of today is theaccordionistMaria Kalaniemi.

Sikerma Laulaunaytelmasta performed in 1929.

Common instruments today include trumpets,horns,andwhistle.Important virtuosos include Leena Joutsenlahti, Teppo Repo and Virpi Forsberg.

In the 20th century, influences from modern music and dances such asjazzandfoxtrotled to distinctively Finnish forms of dance music, such ashumppaandjenkka.

Sami music

Main article:Sami music

TheSamiof northern Finland, Sweden, andNorwayare known for highly spiritual songs calledjoik,reminiscent of a few types ofNative Americansinging. The same word sometimes refers tolavluorvueliesongs, though this is technically incorrect.Hip hopartistAmocis noted for rapping inInari Sami,a Sami language from the area ofInari.

Classical and art music

Classical music

Vårt land (Maamme), the national anthem of Finland, from 1863

In the 18th century, public concerts were established inTurkuandErik Tulindbergwrote six famous string quartets. After Russia's 1809 annexation of Finland, the cities ofViipuriandHelsinkibecame cultural centers and opera became popular. The first Finnish opera was written by the German composerFredrik Paciusin 1852. Pacius also wroteMaamme/Vårt land(Our Land),Finland'snational anthemand foundedAkademiska Sångföreningenin year 1838, the oldest still active choir in Finland.

In 1874, the Society for Culture and Education(Kansanvalistusseura)was founded to provide opportunities for artistic expression, beginning with theJyväskyläfestival in 1881. The festival, organized on Estonian roots, continues today. In 1883, theHelsinki University Chorus(Ylioppilaskunnan Laulajat)was founded as a Finnish-language choir amidst the mostlySwedish-speakingscene.The same year conductorRobert Kajanusfounded theHelsinki Philharmonic OrchestraandMartin Wegeliusfounded what became theSibelius Academy.

Jean Sibelius(1865–1957), the national composer of Finland

In the 1890s, Finnishnationalismbased on theKalevalaspread, andJean Sibeliusbecame famous for his vocal symphonyKullervo.He received a grant to study poetry singers inKareliaand continued his rise as the first internationally prominent Finnish musician. In 1899 he composedFinlandia,which played an important role in Finnish independence. He remains one of Finland's most popular national figures and national symbol.

Alongside Sibelius, national romanticism sprouted other composers who contributed in the formation of a distinct Finnish style of music.Heino Kaskiwas a composer of small chamber music pieces;Erkki Melartin's output includes six symphonies;Yrjö Kilpinencomposed solo songs, as well asLeevi Madetoja,andToivo Kuula.In the 1930s composers includingUuno Klamiand Yrjö Kilpinen rose to popularity. Kilpinen's approach was somewhat nationalistic, whereas Klami had Karelian influences, leaning towards French models.

Finland had a lively classical music scene. Composers were supported by conductors such asMikko Franck,Esa-Pekka Salonen(also a notable composer),Jukka-Pekka Saraste,Osmo Vänskä,Susanna Mälkki,Leif SegerstamandSakari Oramo.Many Finnish singers and instrumentalists achieved international success. Among them are opera singersMartti Talvela,Karita Mattila,Matti Salminen,Soile IsokoskiandTopi Lehtipuu,pianistsRalf Gothoni,Olli Mustonen,Risto Lauriala,Janne Mertanenand Paavali Jumppanen, as well as clarinettistKari Kriikkuand violinistPekka Kuusisto.Practically all prominent Finnish musicians perform both classical and contemporary art music.

The opening of the newFinnish National Operain 1993 and the newHelsingin Musiikkitaloin 2011 strengthened the position of classical and art music. The orchestra network in Finland might be proportionally the densest in the world, including 30 member orchestras of the Association of Finnish Symphony Orchestras.

Opera

Main article:Finnish opera

Aino Acktéand other opera singers founded theFinnish Operain 1911. Ackté began a festival inSavonlinnathe following year; this was the precursor of theSavonlinna Opera Festival,which launched in the 1960s, shortly before the new Finnish opera became famous in the 1970s. Leevi Madetoja's 1924Pohjalaisia,an operaticallegoryabout Russian oppression during previous decades, became popular during the 1920s. At roughly the same time,Aarre Merikantocomposed the operaJuhato the libretto by Aino Ackté, who rejected it and asked Leevi Madetoja to compose another version instead; Merikanto's Juha was first performed after the composer's death in 1958, and became regarded as an underrated masterwork.

Aulis Sallinenstarted a new wave of Finnish opera in the 1970s withThe HorsemanandThe Red Line.The Red Lineearned productions in Moscow, London, and New York City. Along with Sallinen's stage works,Joonas Kokkonen's operaThe Last Temptationscontributed to that era's rise of Finnish opera music. More recent major operas by Finnish composers include among othersKaija Saariaho'sL'Amour de loinandAdriana materas well asOlli Kortekangas'sIsän tyttö( "Daddy's Girl" ).

Since the 1960s, theLahti Symphony Orchestra's reputation as one of the most important Scandinavian orchestras was cemented by conductorOsmo Vänskä;this helped to cause a boom in opera's popularity during the 1980s, rescuing a form increasingly seen as archaic elsewhere. The Savonlinna Opera Festival reopened in 1967.

Martti Talvela,Karita MattilaandJorma Hynninenbecame international opera stars, while composers likeKalevi Aho,Olli Kortekangas,Paavo Heininen,Aulis Sallinen,Einojuhani Rautavaara,Atso AlmilaandIlkka Kuusistocomposed successful operas.

Contemporary art music

The first wave of post-classical music in Finland came about in the 1920s with modernists Aarre Merikanto,Väinö Raitioand Sulho Ranta. However, this movement was tamed by the growing nationalistic tendency in the arts before theSecond World War.In the 1940s,Erik Bergmanand Joonas Kokkonen gained popularity and added technical innovations to Finnish music. A generation of Finnish composers turned to modernism, such asEinojuhani RautavaaraandUsko Meriläinen,while theneoclassicalstyle found voice in the music ofEinar Englund.The 1950s saw an increase in international attention on Finnish music and helped modernize Finnish composing.

The forming of theEars Open!society in 1977turned out to be the major change in Finnish art music. From its circles emerged composers and musicians who achieved worldwide success, notably conductor-composer Esa-Pekka Salonen, and composersEero Hämeenniemi,Kaija Saariaho,Magnus LindbergandJouni Kaipainen.The earlyEars Open!society followed Central European modernism along the lines ofPierre BoulezandKarlheinz Stockhausen,but also showed interest in post-warPolish Schoolcomposers such asWitold Lutoslawski.Ears Open!was followed by the forming ofAvanti! Chamber Orchestrain 1983, which offered a platform for composers and instrumentalists to introduce new works and stylistic flows in Finland.

In the 21st century, the modernist movement waned, but is still represented by composers such asVeli-Matti PuumalaandLotta Wennäkoski.Juhani Nuorvala is a rareminimalist,whileOsmo Tapio RäihäläandSebastian Fagerlundlean more towardspost-modernism.

Performance of contemporary art music blossomed in Finland, with specialized groups includingUusinta Chamber Ensembleand Zagros. The most important stages for contemporary art music are the established festivals Time of Music inViitasaari,Musica nova Helsinki andTampere Biennale,as well as the Klang Concert Series in Helsinki.

Experimental

Classical elements and mysterious soundscapes characterize the compositions of Finnish film score composerDiana Ringo.Popular singerAnna Erikssoncreates experimental music and film scores.

Popular music

Iskelmä

Olavi Virtain 1956

Irwin Goodmanpictured in 1966

Kari Tapioin 2009

Iskelmä (coined directly from the German wordSchlager,meaninghit) is a traditional Finnish word for a light popular song.Georg Malmsténstarted his career in the 1930s. Others, such asDallapé,incorporated then-noveljazzelements. AfterWorld War IIbut beforerock and roll,names such asOlavi VirtaorTapio Rautavaarawere popular singers, andToivo KärkiandReino Helismaawere popular songwriters. Foreign musical genres such astangofound domestic audiences.Some of the most acclaimed Finnish chanteuses of this time period wereLaila Kinnunen,Carola,Annikki Tähti,Brita Koivunenand Vieno Kekkonen.

From the late 1960s,Irwin Goodman(a.k.a.Antti Hammarberg) combinediskelmäandprotest songs,gaining popularity with humorous tunes penned byVexi Salmi,who also wrote for other Finnish artists.Juha "Watt" Vainiowas another popular songwriter, known for Finnish renditions of many international hits, but for his own songs and performing in his own right. In the 1970s, "Finnhits" compilation records of various artists continued in theiskelmätradition. Rural-flavouredhumppabecame a successful variation ofiskelmä,later parodied byEläkeläiset.Other popular Finnishiskelmäsingers areKatri Helena,Danny (a.k.a.Ilkka Lipsanen),Fredi,Eino Grön,Erkki Junkkarinen,Frederik(a.k.a. Ilkka Sysimetsä),Marion Rung,Tapani Kansa,Kirka(a.k.a. Kirill Babitzin),Matti ja Teppo,Jari Sillanpää,andKikka Sirén.

The annualEurovision Song Contestis avidly followed in Finland and in 2006 Finland won with the melodic heavy rock bandLordi.

Like Finnish music in general,iskelmäis written mostly inminor keys.The melodies have a distinguishable Finnish "flavour" that is somewhat related to Russian and Italian melodies and harmonies although Scandinavian and Anglo-American influence can also be heard.

Iskelmämusic is essentially dance music, and it is mostly performed on dancing stages and halls around the country. The best known and perhaps most loved and respected dance is thetango.Notably, the annual Finnish contest foriskelmäartists is "Tangomarkkinat",meaning" The Tango Marketplace "; many of the stars of contemporaryiskelmähave won this competition and it is a major spectacle in Finland, comparable with theSanremo Music Festivalin Italy.

Iskelmä is typically non-urban music and its greatest popularity is situated to the countryside and smaller cities.

Traditionallyaccordionhas been the major instrument in iskelmä music and it is still played, but has in most cases been replaced by guitar,electric pianoand synthesizer. These, with drums, electric bass and occasional use of saxophone form the basic instrumentation ofiskelmä.

Rock music

Main article:Rock music in Finland

Hurriganesmembers Cisse Häkkinen (with bass) andRemu Aaltonen(with drums) performing inKaivopuisto,Helsinki in 1980

Rock arrived in Finland in the 1950s. Founded in the 1960s,Love Recordswas one of the first domestic record labels dedicated toFinnish rock music,even though the label's roster also included jazz and political songs. During the late 1960s,Blues Section,a group inspired byJimi HendrixandThe Whogained a reputation as "the first Finnish band of international quality". Another band that gained some reputation was Apollo that later featured jazz-drummerEdward Vesala.The early work had little typical Finnish "flavour" and most bands covered music by international bands.Blues Sectionlater developed into internationally acknowledged "superband" Wigwam, featuring English singerJim Pembroke,who wrote many of their songs. Originally they also played songs with Finnish lyrics written byJukka Gustafssonsuch as the classical "Luulosairas".

During the 1970s, progressive rock groupsWigwamandTasavallan Presidenttireceived critical acclaim in the United Kingdom, but fame evaded them.Pekka Strengwas one of the pioneers of Finnish rock music via his progressive spiritual folkrock and Finnish lyrics. The 2000s experienced a Streng-renaissance and one of his songs became an international club hit. Hard-rock groupHurriganeswas popular in Sweden as well as in Finland.Hector,Juice Leskinen,Dave Lindholmand many other successful artists of the 1970s sang in Finnish, which continued in later years. During the 1970s these artists birthed "suomirock".

Suomirockliterally means Finnish rock music. However, its meaning is more specific, covering rock/pop music with Finnish lyrics. As a genre it started in the 1980s following thepunk rockmovement. It is a form of rock music that is recognizably Finnish with Finnish lyrics. A more general and recent term is "suomipop". The boundaries between what is considered "rock" and "pop" blurred and depend upon personal preference. Traditionally iniskelmäthe performers did not write their songs, while in the rock scene the singer-songwriter ruled. In the 2000s new performers such asIdolssongcontest winnerAri Koivunenperformed even heavy rock in theiskelmämanner, which used to be typical only iniskelmä-scene.

Thepunkmovement arrived in Finland in 1977 and influenced Finnish youth culture.Pelle Miljoonawas the most famous Finnish punk singer.Terveet Kädetstarted the hardcore punk-wave.Eppu Normaalialso started during this period, (later to change its style from punk to rock/pop). At the same time, Finland had a massive movement ofElvisandrockabillyfans, later parodied by Finnishlo-fipunk bandLiimanarina.

Dingo's lead singer Pertti Neumann performing in 1984

Hanoi Rocks's lead singerMichael Monroeperforming in 1980s

In the 1980s, most favoured artists were punkishDingoand heavy-heartedYö,both singing their lyrics in Finnish. In the underground,Ismo Alanko,considered by many as the foremost Finnish rock lyricist, gained a legendary status with his punkish groupsHassisen KoneandSielun Veljet.Kauko Röyhkäwas another literate underground icon, leaning musically towardsVelvet Underground.The 1980s showed short international fame forpunkstyleglam rockbandHanoi Rocks.Hanoi Rocks andSmackhave been cited as an influence by major American bands such as Guns N' Roses and Foo Fighters.

Heavy metal was popular in Finland during the 1980s, producing groups likeStone,the latter being a fondly remembered speed metal act.Hardcore punkis also popular in Finland, including bands such asEndstand,Abduktio, I Walk the Line, andLighthouse Project.

Apulantaperforming at the 2014 Rakuuna Rock festival

In the early 1990s Finnish rock parody group theLeningrad Cowboysflourished. It was an international rock comedy band that grew out of the Finnish comedy bandSleepy Sleepers.Its members appeared inAki Kaurismäki's comedy filmLeningrad Cowboys Go America.Theyperformed live at theMTV Music Awardsin New York City in 1994, together with the fullRed Army Choir,performing "Sweet Home Alabama".This was the biggest TV audience for any Finnish music artist ever. Leningrad Cowboys were famous for outrageous outfits including ridiculous rock-a-billy hairdos and ultra-pointed shoes. The band remained popular in parts of Europe.

Finnish bands tend to write lyrics in English to broaden their audience. However, 1990s bands such asApulanta,Miljoonasade,Ultra Braand the shamanic art-punk groupCMXfound success with Finnish lyrics. The hard-to-define electronic country garage rock group22 Pistepirkkogot excellent reviews in the Finnish rock press and reached cult status in Central Europe. Other notable Finnish cult rock groups of this era include the psychedelic bandHendrixianKingston Wallthat was influenced byshamanismand genres ofelectronic dance music,and equally psychedelic but gothic, gloomy, and heavy,Mana Mana.

A band that enjoyed critical and commercial success in the 2000s isThe Rasmus.After eleven years and several domestic releases, the band gained attention in Europe. TheirDead Letters(2003) album sold 1.5 million units worldwide and garnered eight gold and five platinum album designations. The single "In the Shadows"placed on Top 10 charts in eleven countries and was the most played video onMTV Europefor 2005. The Helsinki natives released their follow-up album,Hide From The Sun,domestically in 2005, r eaching the U.S. in 2006. To promote the U.S. release, the band toured with the Welsh bandLostprophets.The albumBlack Roseswas released worldwide on 29 September 2008. It was produced byDesmond Childand the first single was calledLivin' in a World Without You.The band continued in the 2020s and competed inEurovision Song Contest 2022.

Heavy metal

See also:Folk metal

Alexi Laiho,one of the founding members ofChildren of Bodom,at the 2016 Rockharz Open Air Festival inBallenstedt,Germany

Monster bandLordiat the 2018 Hirsch Festival inNürnberg,Germary

Finland is known forheavy metalacts, including from thedeath metal,black metal,doom metal,folk metal,power metal,andsymphonic metalsubgenres.

Finland hosts a strong underground doom metal scene more focused on the depressive mood of the genre, evoking intense grief.The bands play with slow tempos and melodic tones, creating an atmosphere of darkness and melancholia.This scene was kick-started byRigor Mortis(which, due to an older US band with the same name, changed their name to Spiritus Mortis), which originated in 1987.Notable bands includeReverend Bizarre,Minotauri,Dolorian,Shape of Despair,Swallow the Sun,Thergothon,SkepticismandUnholy.

In the later 1990s thesymphonic metalgroupApocalypticaplayedMetallicacover songs as cello quartets and sold half a million records worldwide. The recently retiredTimo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukauswere one of Finland's most popular metal acts in the early 2000s, after leaving late 1980s – early 1990s cult bandLyijykomppania.Children's power metal bandHevisaurusbecame popular in Finland.

Finnish metal bands attained worldwide success within the underground metal scene. Examples of such bands includeStratovariusandSonata Arctica,andChildren of Bodom.

Tarja Turunen

Nightwishis considered a pioneer of symphonic metal that mixes in power metal and gothic metal and hadTarja Turunen,a classical soprano, as its vocalist until 2005. The band received platinum and gold certifications for its albums sales in many countries and became the third best selling Finnish artist. The band was nominated for awards and took home 11 Emma-gala awards, the Echo award, the Mtv Europe music award, the World music award and the Metal Storm award. In 2000 the band participated in the Finnish qualification for theEurovision Song Contest,reaching second place.

Kotiteollisuuswas one of Finland's most popular bands, producing one platinum and several gold albums and winning Emma-awards in 2003 and 2005 for best metal record ( "Helvetistä itään" ) and best DVD ( "Kotiteollisuus" ), respectively.

Finnish hard rock bandLordiwon the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest with a record 292 points, Finland's first-ever victory. They submitted "Hard Rock Hallelujah",and they celebrated their win with a free concert inMarket Squarein Helsinki, on 26 May 2006. They broke the world record forkaraoke singingwith about 80,000 voices singing "Hard Rock Hallelujah".Lordi was one of the most watched competitors of the Eurovision Song Contest internationally,because the band aroused positive media interest, while some foreigners accused Lordi ofsatanism.

An internationally successfulHIMband performing inMilan,Italy in 2005

From the beginning of 2000,HIMreached greater sales and more international success than any other band to come from Finland. Going gold with their first official American releaseDark Light,of which two singles, "Wings of a Butterfly"and"Killing Loneliness",reached number one and two, respectively, on the Finnish Singles Chart.The former cracked the top ten in the UK.Several Finnish bands have followed the lead of that band;Entwine,Lullacry,andPoisonblackare such bands.

Heavy metal groupBlind Channelfinished sixth inEurovision Song Contest 2021with their song "Dark Side".

Other well-known metal bands areAmorphis,Beherit,Impaled Nazarene,Throne of Chaos,TurisasandEnsiferum.

Hip-hop

Finland hip-hop bands emerged during the late 1990s to early 2000s. One of the first Finnish Hip Hop records with lyrics in English was recorded at Vernissa (C) Manus / (P) Johanna Kustannus 1991 by Damn The Band. Later Finland offeredNuerawith MC's Skem (Henry Kaprali) and Dream (Petri Laurila) from Tampere region. Nuera's first release was in 1992. Same guys, together with DJ K2 were also behind a hip-hop based radio show on YleX. The first popular hip-hop band to break the taboo of making rap lyrics in Finnish (rapping in Finnish was not regarded as serious business because the first artists to do this in the early 1990s such asRaptori,Nikke T and Pääkköset were humorous project and were popular mostly among children) wasFintelligensarguably one of the most successful hip hop bands in Finland. Let's not forget about Ceebrolistics, their first cassette singleSpingwas released in 1995 their lyrics has been both in Finnish and English. Few other important popular but underground acts were MC Taakibörsta,Notkea RottaandPalefacejust to mention a few from the same era.

Cheek (rapper)

Today rap music is one of the major genres of Finnish pop-music and there are many artists, who have reached wide popularity. Still it can be said, that rap-scene is primarily an underground-movement. But even independent artists such as ASA with often political and critical lyrics are quite popular. ASA's "leijonaa mä metsästän" -album was the third on Finnish albumchart in 2005. Finnish rap-artists, such asPalefacewith English lyrics have not attained international success. An exception to this is /breakbeat-/electro-/ hiphop-bandBomfunk MC's,who with their MCRaymond Ebanksbecame popular in Central Europe, as they had the most sold European hit single of 2000, "Freestyler"along withtrance musicactDarude's international hit "Sandstorm".

In 2023 hip-hop artistKäärijärepresented Finland at theEurovision Song Contest 2023and placed first in the televote.

Pop music

Pop singerAntti Tuiskuperforming at the 2016Ilosaarirockfestival inJoensuu,Finland

In the 1990s, a popular new trend was so-calledEurodancemusic and this style also had Finnish followers, many of which however are today quite forgotten. A couple of bands also wrote their lyrics in English, but didn't make it on the international music market. To mention few artists, there were Hausmylly,AikakoneandMovetron.

Some contemporary Pop/Rock singers who emerged in the 2000s, such asMaija Vilkkumaa,Sanni Kurkisuo,Jenni Vartiainen,Anssi Kela,Irina,Chisu,Anna Puu,Anna Eriksson,Hanna PakarinenandAntti Tuisku,and pop rock groups such asScandinavian Music Group,andPMMP,are popular in Finland. They all primarily sing in Finnish, which may contribute to their relatively low international profile. Antti Tuisku has become the most popular and best-selling artist to emerge fromIdols,the Finnish version ofPop Idol.Erika Vikmanis another popular electropop singer who achieved wide recognition in Finland with her 2020 hit "Syntisten pöytä"(The Sinner's Table).Poets of the Fallis an example of a Finnish pop/rock band that sings in English.

Since the late 1990s and early 2000s, female artists have become more visible as performers and songwriters. Singer-songwriterChisuis a good example of this phenomenon penning songs that can be considered classics, along withEppu Normaali,Tuomari Nurmio.

A number ofiskelmä,rock- and pop-songs attained classic status, outlasting "hits of today". Although the differences between pop, rock andiskelmäare notable in social signification – stereotypicallyiskelmä ismusic for older and rural people, while rock and pop are for youth and urbanites–the boundaries between these genres are not always clear. This seems to be true especially in popular songs that are endlessly performed in original form, or rearranged into new musical idioms and dialects.

Contemporary folk music

The Finnish roots revival began in the 1960s. The Ilmajoki Music Festival andKaustinen Folk Music Festivalbecame musical centers for the country and helped revitalize traditional Finnish folk music.Runosongwas revitalized by a new generation of performers, including Reijo Kela,Kimmo Pohjonenand Heikki Laitinen, who created akalevalaperformance art piece.

The International Folk Music Festival, established in 1968 inKaustinen.It became a major event in the popularization of Finnish folk. The 1970s saw further revival of Finnish folk music, including artists likeKonsta Jylhä,JPPandVärttinä.Jylhä and his Purppuripelimannit band did the most to popular the scene.

Some non-Sami artists, includingEnigmaandJan Garbarek,usedjoikand otherSamistyles in their music, whileMarie Boineof Norway is probably the most internationally famousSamistar. 1996's critically acclaimedSuden AikabyTellu Turkkasaw a further return ofrunosong.

The Finnish bagpipe, thesäkkipilli,though previously extinct, was revived by folk musicians such as Petri Prauda.

In the 2000s, an underground-movement of new folk music came out. Notables include artists such as Joose Keskitalo,Kuusumun Profeetta,andPaavoharju.Despite their Finnish lyrics bands have claimed international recognition. Well-known artistsJ. KarjalainenandPauli Hanhiniemihave turned to folk music.

Another new phenomenon of the 2000s is suomireggae. With Finnish lyrics and moral and spiritual content artists such as Soul-Captain Band,Kapteeni Ä-ni,Jukka PoikaandRaappanahave attained wider popularity.

Underground scenes of various genres are lively, while many bands and artists defy genre boundaries. A good example is underground rap artist ASA (formerly known as MC Avain), who has used folk artists as the accompanying band.

Electronic music

Darudein Toronto, Canada in 2007

In electronic music,Jori Hulkkonen,Jimi Tenor,andPan Sonichave had underground success worldwide. Finland has given birth to international trance DJs such asDJ Orkidea,Alex Kunnari, DJ Proteus,JS16,Super8 & Tab,Yotto,andPaavo Siljamäki.Other notable Finnish artists are Mesak,Imatran Voima,Mr Velcro Fastener,EODEM,Luomoa.k.a.Vladislav Delay,Brothomstates,Lackluster,Pan Sonic,Op:l Bastardsand Ovuca. Electronic music labels includeSähkö Recordings,Kahvi Records, Dum Records (run by Kimmo Rapatti a.k.a. Mono Junk) andJyväskylä'sRikos Records.

The pioneer of Finnishelectronic musicisErkki Kurenniemiwho built DIMI synthesizers in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Finnish undergroundpsy tranceculture is mostly active in the Helsinki metro area. The Finnish style (suomisaundi) of psy trance music is known worldwide and has notable international audiences, for example in Japan and Russia. Main characters in Finnish psy trance are Mullet Mohawk, Texas Faggott and Squaremeat. The most popular Finnish electronica artist isDarude(Ville Virtanen), who gained international success with his chart-topping "Sandstorm",and the following hit albumBefore the Storm.His music is a combination of hard house and progressive trance. The FinnishHard Dancescene gained some following, primarily due to Helsinki-based DJ Proteus winning the title of Best DJ at The Hard Dance Awards in 2004 and 2005. Finland has a popular and internationally recognised Freeform hardcore scene, with the FINRG label enjoying success in the UK, Australia, and more recently Canada and the United States.

In experimental electronica, noise and ambient electronic music, Finland is represented by Petri Kuljuntausta, Pink Twins, Ihokas, Rihmasto, Nemesis, Niko Skorpio, Dystopia, Ozone Player, Winterplanet, Corporate 09, Moya81, and Outer Space Alliance.

Jazz

Jazzcame toFinlandalong with American immigrants in 1926. One of the first Finnish jazz bands wasDallapéwhich is still active Klaus Salmi,Eugen Malmstén,Erik Lindström,Toivo Kärki,Ossi Aaltoand Kauko Viitamäki were some of the first professionalFinnish jazz musicians.Jazz bands started doing dance gigs. Initially the popular genres were accordion jazz,ragtime,swing,jazzschlagerandwaltz.

Finnish jazz imitated foreign models until the 1960s when a new generation started to combine American tradition and Finnish folk influences. Artists includedEsa Pethman,Heikki Sarmanto,Eero KoivistoinenandHenrik Otto Donner.Edward Vesala's andParoni Paakkunainen'sSoulsetband managed to succeed in international contests and festivals. The first Finnish jazz festival,Pori Jazz,launched in 1966.

In the 1970s, musicians began to mix jazz,funkandprogressive rock.Pekka Pöyry,Sakari Kukko,Pekka Pohjola,Jukka TolonenandOlli Ahvenlahtiwere some of the best-known Finnish jazz musicians. Sakari Kukko'sPiirpaukeplayed jazz that was influenced by Finnish folk music and progressive rock. The music ofWigwamandTasavallan Presidenttiis usually regarded as progressive rock, but included elements ofjazz fusion.Live concerts often included long solos. TheUMO Jazz Orchestrawas founded in 1975 and gave opportunity to manyFinnish jazz musiciansto earn a living.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Finnish jazz became more internationally recognized.Jukka Linkola,Jukka PerkoandTapani Rinnewith hisRinneradiocombined various musical styles.Iiro Rantala,Raalmi EskelinenandEerik SiikasaarifoundedTrio Töykeätin 1988 and the band attained worldwide interest. Other important jazz musicians from this era areSeveri Pyysalo,Lenni-Kalle Taipale,Verneri Pohjola,Markus Ketola andAnna-Mari Kähärä.Martti "Mape" Lappalainenfounded Espoo Big Band andApril Jazzfestival in the 1980s.

After the 1990s, Finnish jazz evolved in different directions.Samplerswere used to create more unique sounds.The Five Corners Quintet,U-Street All Starsand Quintessence playednu-jazzwith electronic and pop influences. Oddarrang, Dalindéo, Mopo, Teemu Viinikainen,Timo Lassy,Jukka Eskola,Manuel Dunkel andMikko Innanenrepresent the future of Finnish jazz.

Military music

The Conscript Band of the Finnish Defense Forces—drums

The Conscript Band of the Finnish Defense Forces—singing

Military bandsare a part of theFinnish Defence Forces.A total of thirteen military bands operate in Finland. They are relatively small in size, but are often reinforced with other local professional wind players.

• Kaartin Soittokunta(The Guards' Band), Helsinki. 40 musicians + 2 conductors.
• Panssarisoittokunta (The Armour Band), Hämeenlinna. 20 mus. + 1 cond.
• Laivaston Soittokunta (The Navy Band), Turku. 20 mus. + 1 cond.
• Ilmavoimien Soittokunta (The Air Force Band), Jyväskylä. 20 mus. + 1 cond.
• Savon Sotilassoittokunta (The Band of Savo), Mikkeli. 20 mus. + 1 cond.
• Oulun Sotilassoittokunta (The Military Band of Oulu), Oulu. 20 mus. + 1 cond.
• Rakuunasoittokunta (The Dragoons Band), Lappeenranta. 14 mus. + 1 cond.
• Pohjanmaan Sotilassoittokunta (The Osthrobothnian Military Band), Vaasa. 14 mus. + 1 cond.
• Satakunnan Sotilassoittokunta (The Satakunta Military Band); Niinisalo. 14 mus. + 1 cond.
• Karjalan Sotilassoittokunta (The Karelian Military Band); Kontioranta. 14 mus. + 1 cond.
• Kainuun Sotilassoittokunta (The Kainuu Military Band); Kajaani. 14 mus. + 1 cond.
• Lapin Sotilassoittokunta (The Military Band of Lapland); Rovaniemi. 14 mus. + 1 cond.

A large military band consisting only of conscripts with professional conductors is called The Conscript Band of the Finnish Defence Forces. Its strength is about 60–70 musicians. It operates in Lahti and is concentrated on making marching shows and large-scale concerts.

Further listening

A 3-CD box set entitled Beginner's Guide to Scandinavia was released by Nascente/Demon Music Groupin May 2011. It was the first time that the various genres of Scandinavian music – pop, folk, jazz and experimental – had been combined in one release. Finnish artists includedVärttinä,Kimmo Pohjonen,Maria Kalaniemi,Vuokko Hovatta,Sanna Kurki-Suonio,IslajaandWimme.

Radio stations

• Yle,The Finnish state broadcasting corporation
  • Yle Radio 1
  • Yle Radio Suomi
  • YleX
  • Yle X3M
  • Yle Vega
• Commercial
  • NRJ Group
  • Loop
  • Radio Rock
  • Radio Aalto
  • Radio Nova
  • Groove FM
  • Radio Suomipop
  • Radio Helsinki
  • The Voice

See also

• List of Finnish singers
• List of Finnish musicians
• List of Finnish jazz musicians
• List of best-selling music artists in Finland
• List of years in Finnish music
• Culture of Finland
• Scandinavian death metal
• Sami music
• Provinssirock
• Pori Jazz Festival
• April Jazz Festival

Other sources

• Henriksson, Juha. "Suomalaisen jazzin vuosisata" Viitattu 27 May 2014.
• Henriksson, Juha. "A short history of Finnish jazz" Viitattu 27 May 2014.
• Cronshaw, Andrew. "New Runes". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.),World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East,pp 91–102. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books.ISBN1-85828-636-0

Further reading

• Subrenat, Jean-Jacques.Listen, there's music from the forest; a brief presentation of the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival(ISBN952-92-0564-3).

External links

• Finnish Music Information Center
• pHinnWeb: Finnish electronic music
• Rockdata: Finnish Music Scene
• Jazz Finland
• Songs of Finland– A Collection of Finnish Popular Music on CD.
• Kaamos– A webzine dedicated to Finnish metal and rock.
• 50 Alltime greatest finnish albums– a selection of Finnish popular music albums by professional critics
• Finland longs for happier songs– An Article about Finnish Popular Music