Art of the Finnish Kantele

Various Artists - International - Europe - Scandinavia | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 7, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arc Music
• ASIN: B000001IK5
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #492,067 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Dance of the Swan

2. The Swing

3. Viulan Polka

4. A Willow Grouse in the Frozen Snow

5. The Dregs of 100 Years

6. Frisking Lamb

7. Waltz of a Foreign Land

8. Fighting Polka

9. November

10. The Bell Polka

11. Little Bird's Dance

12. Valkealan Valssi

13. An Old Folk Player

14. Kaijasjärvess

15. Pot-Hole

16. Hulda Ja Jalmari

17. Hintrek Peltoniemi's Funeral March

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as it gets., June 24, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art of the Finnish Kantele (Audio CD)

I've been a fan of kantele music for years. I have several earlier albums by the Pokelas, but this one was a little disappointing. I can't fault their technique, however the overall melodic content is rather pedestrian. Despite a few interesting pieces (Valkealan valssi, Hulda ja Jalmari, and Hintrek Peltoniemi's funeral), the mood setting flavor of some of their earlier work is missing.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Finland's Best Kept Secrets, May 12, 2002

By 

"canis-rufus" (Orlando, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Art of the Finnish Kantele (Audio CD)

Most people probably cannot even tell you where Finland is located, much less talk competently about the national instrument, the Kantele. It took quite a few weeks to finally get my cd, but the wait was well worth it. The music is pure and simple, and I have barely stopped listening to it since it arrived. The songs on this cd seem evenly balanced between old and new, polka and non-polka. Make no mistake...this is NOT a beer hall cd. It is calming, relaxing, soothing and a perfect background for some solo time or self reflection. I wish the Finns were more aggresive in promoting this wonderful music outside their own country. I guess that is what makes Finland so unique...they don't require or request validation from outsiders to do what they do, play what they play or live the way they live. I envy them their tranquility and way of life. If anyone in Finland wants to swap places for a few years let me know!