This performance dives deep into the world of Finnish myths and beliefs. Through written and improvised music and text interpretation the spirits of heavens and the earth come alive. The music combines the improvisatory aesthetics of jazz and influences from folk music. Pianist Johanna Pitkänen and accordion player Johanna Juhola are versatile musicians with a strong musical personality, combined with spontaneus expression. Actor Lassi Alhorinne adds another level of storytelling and even a ritualistic element to the performance,
The performance was inspired by a book titled 'The Magic Songs of the Finns' first published in 1880. It's a collection of spells and charms collected from the rural areas of Finland and Karelia still isolated from the outside world.The book was edited by Elias Lönnrot, a collector of traditional Finnish oral poetry best known for editing the Finnish national epic Kalevala. It was translated into English by John Abercromby who writes: 'Since the time immemorial the Finns have been known for their use of incantations, or magic songs...' This old esoteric tradition, even though nowadays extinct, has left a profound mark in Finnish culture and language.
Johanna Pitkänen - composition, piano, arrangement Johanna Juhola- accordion, arrangement Lassi Alhorinne - text interpretation
In a deep place fire was not born, in a rough place did not spring up; fire was born in the sky...
Thee I conjure away to other, to foreign lands,.. If there thou canst not find a place, go there where I command, to other, to distant lands, to other waters that are black, which by the eye have not been seen, were never heard of by the ear, to priestless places, un-christened lands,..
Old woman beneath the waves! The woman that lives near foam; Rise with thy hand above the waves, ascend with thy breast to collect the foam in front of a sailing boat...