Track Listing

1. Eriskummainen Kantele (My Kantele)
2. Kultaansa Ik�v�iv� (There Is My Lover)
3. Viimesen Kerran (The Very Last Time}
4. Minuet and Polska
5. Kun Mun Kultani Tulisi (Missing Him)
6. Valamon Kirkonkellot (Valamo Cloister Bells)
7. Ai, Ai Taas Sattuu (Oh, Oh, It Hurts Again)
8. Suo (Marshland)
9. Kilme Kaunista (Three Things of Beauty)
10. Levan Polkka (Leva's Polka)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #102111 in Music
• Released on: 1998-02-24
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

Amazon.com
The kantele, a mix of harp, hammered dulcimer, and zither, is Finland's national instrument, and Loituma show the range of its possibilities on this album. Ranging from the traditional, like "Leva's Polka" (which was released as a Finnish single and hit the charts), to the modern, the band covers a musical territory that encompasses the atmospheric with Marti Pokela's insidious "Marshaland" and "Three Things of Beauty," whose words are adapted from Kalevala poetry, and bring to mind an acoustic Cocteau Twins. Originally formed by two singers who later moved to Hedningarna, Loituma produce a lovely balance of vocal and instrumental pieces that offer unalloyed joy while introducing American audiences to the light magic that is the kantele. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews

Loituma Lives Up To Their Name
You read that Vainamoinen, hero the the Finnish epic "Kalevala" worked great feats of magic and charms by playing the Kantele (Finnish harp) as no other could. You will be a believer when you hear Loituma's "Things of Beauty." I was amazed at the wealth of undiscovered beauty that has been brought forth by Baltic Finnish culture. For example, the exquisite "Kolme Kaunista" 'Three Things of Beauty'. It captures the essence of that surge of joy one feels on a beautiful summer day. "Valamon Kirkonkellot" 'Valamo Cloister Bells' is exceptional in its conveyance of Karelian Orthodox bells. Timo Vaananen delivers a beautiful vocal performance in "Kultaansa Ikavoiva" 'There is My Lover' alongside Sanna-Kurki Sounio's (now of Hedningarna fame) lovely "Eriskumainen Kantele" 'My Kantele.' This album is a gem.

Outstanding - like listening to Angels
Spoken Finnish not required - the harmonies and rhythms produced by Loituma are outstanding. Their use of the Finnish Harp compliments the super vocals. You'll be shaking your head - tapping in time - enthralled!

Music of Finland at it's best
The music of Loituma is refreshing and new. A great mix of talented voices and traditional Finnish intruments. Although in Finnish, the songs speak the international language of music. A must-have for collectors of Finnish music and those who wish to expand their musical horizons beyond that which is familiar.