Music & Video
Treasures in the Waste |
In September 1971, René Gothóni and Juha Vilja made a short film with an environmental theme, which later completely disappeared. Fifty years later, they found the damaged roll, re-edited it and dedicated the new film to the memory of their female actor Hannele Voionmaa (1953-2016), whom Krzysztof Kieslowsky had offered the lead role in his iconic film Three Colours – Blue. Originally, the purpose of the film was to provide food for thought to youngsters in youth clubs and confirmation classes in Finland, but it also found its way to Denmark and the UK. All three filmmakers did never meet again. They were all interested in the film industry, but they became professionals in academic research, cultural affairs, and international diplomacy. To read the whole story, please press the text below
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Music in Sanctuaries
Chapple Guitar
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It all started many years back as I heard Los Angeles Guitar Quartet play Sir Peter Maxwell Davies' Farewell to Stromness on the radio. I immediately tried to play it myself but as I couldn't exactly remember it, I just played on, not knowing where it would take me. At least three independent versions saw the daylight and one of them was recorded by The Storytellers (Tarinankertojat, CD 2010) with the title PAX!.
Then my mother-in-law passed away in 2016 and I heard all her 12 grandchildren with their spouses play a spiritual by W.H. Doane at her funeral. This tune appeared almost by itself in the middle of the last version that I had been playing. Chapple Guitar was recorded in the Chapel of St. Bridget in Vivamo Retreat Centre, Lohja, Southern Finland. It's a very special place with its apple orchards and the little chapel with its constantly changing light and extremely nice acoustics. The Chapel in the video doesn't look exactly the same from outside as in real life because of some clips from other places. However I hope the video does it justice. If you are interested in the many attractions and activities of Vivamo, please check: https://www.kansanraamattureura.fi/sinulle/loma-_ja_kurssikeskukset/vivamon_raamattukyla/vivamo_bible_village |
The Wind Matters
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The Wind Matters for flute and guitar originates from the inspirational essence of the wind. We were looking for a windy sanctuary with good acoustics and therefore we ended up in St. Anna ́s Church on the island of Kökar, a most remote island on the southern edge of Åland ́s archipelago.The church is located on an open cliff in the vicinity of the medieval monastery, only a few ten meters from the seafront. In windy weather the wind and the sounds of the sea can be heard in the church. This late summer day the weather was calm and the exceptionally fine acoustics of the church is audible. For more information just press the text below. |
Varkauden Kesäklassinen -Varkaus SummerClassical 2019
Mozart: Laudate Dominum
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W.A. Mozart's Laudate Dominum performed by Markus Hallikainen, cello, and Juha Vilja, guitar, in an exotic and intimate barn, one of the concert venues of Varkaus Summer Classical 2019. The arrangement is originally made for two guitars by Christopher Parkening with the subtitle "Praise Ye the Lord". The festival is a special combination of young talents, modern music and well known classicals loved by everyone at unexpected and inspiring venues accessible for both visitors and local people. |
Oblivion
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Astor Piazzolla's Oblivion performed by Markus Hallikainen, cello, and Juha Vilja, guitar, in an exotic and intimate barn, one of the concert venues of Varkaus Summer Classical 2019. The arrangement is originally made for guitar by the great guitarist Nadia Kossinskaja who kindly sent it to me. Thanks a lot, it is a fresh angle to one of Piazzolla's best known hits! You may find her video here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAXY9hq-LkJqL2VVBia7Y4g?sub_confirmation=1 The festival is a special combination of young talents, modern music and well known classicals loved by everyone at unexpected and inspiring venues accessible for both visitors and local people. |
Libertango
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Astor Piazzolla's Libertango, slightly re-arranged for cello and guitar by Markus Hallikainen and Juha Vilja. The venue is a barn at the City of Varkaus Canal Museum, most suitable for summer concerts. Markus is the founder and artistic director of the Varkaus SummerClassical, now in it's third time. |
Amazing Grace
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Amazing Grace - maybe the most well known spiritual of all times as a new concert arrangement performed by Markus Hallikainen, cello, and Juha Vilja, guitar. The concert was in a barn, one of the exotic and inspiring venues of Varkaus SummerClassical 2019 festival. This time the weather was pretty cool and there was no heating other than the atmosphere created by the audience which kept us well warm through the concert. It was just great to have such a front row young cellist to perform with at the first public performance of this version of Amazing Grace. |
Face of Grace
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This piece is a little autobiographical and the first I ever recorded in IMU, Inkoon Musiikki with Matti Kontio. It was simply so nice to play with these guys. The cellist is Markus Hallikainen, a great young cellist with whom I've been playing since he was about the size of a foam extinguisher. The vocals come from Teri Mantere. I'm happy he accepted recording the vocals, because he could have done almost anything in the studio. Jaakko Vilja is a very creative percussionist and also capable of anything, including great responsibility of the high atmosphere of the session. |
Libertango for Flute and Guitar
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Astor Piazzolla's Libertango suits particularly well for flute and guitar, though it becomes airy and fast, quite different from the orchestral versions. This flute-guitar duo (Marjatta and Juha Vilja) saw the daylight for more than three decades ago as a result of joint music projects. Later, as a married couple with two daughters and in other occupations, attention has been directed also to other areas, outside music. |
SeVilja Sound
This band was born of spending a lot of happy time together, often associated with making music in many different forms. The members of SeVilja Sound are Marjatta Vilja, flute, Juha Vilja, guitar, Jaakko Vilja, percussion, guitar, Maria Vilja, mandolin, Teri Mantere, guitar, vocals, piano, bass, Johanna Mantere, violin. The music of the band include so far Irish music, children's songs, Afro-American and Finnish spiritual music as arrangements of Teri Mantere, Jaakko and Maria Vilja, as well as Josh Garrels' and Juha Vilja's music.
Wayfaring Stranger
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A happy afternoon with the SeVilja Sound recording Maria and Jaakko's favourite song Wayfaring Stranger. Its Finnish lyrics are from the Psalm "Oi Herra jos mä matkamies maan" that reflects a strong longing for the Lord. Had a lot of fun with the rotating cam in the center and the one-string Bucket Bass made of a single double bass string and a plastic bucket. |
Shine Jesus Shine
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Shine Jesus Shine is recorded with a rotating cam, constructed of an old LP-player, a bicycle wheel rim and a jar of glass. Otherwise the instruments are traditional except the Bucket Bass, made of a 60 litre plastic bucket, self constructed neck and fingerboard + double bass E-string. Musicians are Johanna Mantere, violin, Maria Vilja, mandolin, Jaakko Vija, percussion, Juha Vilja, bucket bass, Teri Mantere, guitar, Marjatta Vilja, flute. |
Jerry's Breakdown - Espoo Cultural Centre 2010
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Live recording of Jerry's Breakdown in the Glass Cube of Espoo Cultural Centre, Finland, featuring two members of the staff, Juha Vilja and Teri Mantere. |
Trio Kuninkaantie - The Kingsway trio
Marjatta Vilja (flute), Antti Soininen (violin) and Juha Vilja (guitar) discovered the spring of 1997 that they meet repeatedly in connection with various events related to church music. In addition, they all lived in the historical Kingsway. They discovered they shared similar ideas and a similar sense of humor, and decided to form a trio which seemed to be a need. This resulted in a diverse and creative music making focusing the trio but often connected with other ensembles and choirs. One key project was the spirituals arranged for the Kingsway trio.
When the Saints Go Marchin' in
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Trio Kingsway plays a new arrangement of the traditional When the Saints for Flute, Violin and Guitar. |
Directores Minores
The male quartet Directores Minores was born when four men repeatedly met in meetings of the Education and Culture of the City of Espoo. Georg Dolivo, Sampo Suihko, Alexander Holthoer and Juha Vilja - all directors of the Education and Culture - often found themselves in situations where music seemed to be a better way to meet one of the dry ceremonial needs. The follows was more singing and more situations which became more fun. Soon there were more than a hundred songs in Directores Minores folders. The busy men's working method is a post-performance practicing, which is a little risky, but it is easier to see afterwards if there is any need for it.
Kaupungin harmain mies -
When I'm 64/Lennon-McCartney
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When I'm 64 performed by Directores Minores, a song which little by little became more and more popular in their repertoire as some of them grew more an more grey and some even seemed to be losing their hair. Members of the quartet are former directors of the Education and Culture of the City of Espoo, Finland. In Finnish the Song title means "The Most Grey Man in the City". Members of the group are Sampo Suihko (T1), Georg Dolivo (T2), Alexander Holthoer (B1) and Juha Vilja (B2) |
Directores Minores with Marzi & Teri
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This belongs to the very lighthearted encore part of Director's Cut gig. An unforgettable night with friends in Espoo Cultural Centre. Many thanks! |
"Opening speech" & Little Lamb
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Directores Minores joking at the expense of the full house audience at the opening of the Sakustars National Exhibition and finally sing Little Lamb. The National Exhibition took place in the Tapiola Hall of the Espoo Cultural Centre. |
Marzi & Teri Show in Director's Cut at Louhi Hall of The Tapiola Cultural Centre
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Marzi Nyman and Teri Mantere have fun performing The Singer's Song by Eino Leino with special guitar solos in the lighthearted latter half of the Director's Cut gig |
Gethsemane 2011
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This improvised music is based on Arabic maqams which are closely related to modes. The intention was to look for very old music so that you could imagine Jesus had heard the kind during his life on earth. Thanks to the Middle Eastern oral and literal traditions, many of the old musical forms can be traced back to Jesus' days and further. The atmosphere of the maqam which we found is close to an imagined situation and state of mind in Gethsemane. This maqam is quite long, about one page, and it contains some quite independent phrases. In addition, it aroused associations with some of the recent repertoire which one way or another are present in the implementation. Musicians: Markus Hallikainen, cello and Juha Vilja, guitar. |
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
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A simple prayer when you don't know what to think about in these days of a global pandemic. When I focused on looking for something new of this familiar tune, I wasn't aware of what was happening behind me and on the guitar. This lighting lasted only a few minutes and then it was over. |
Wind - Water under Snow
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The Song cycle Missä olet / Where you are was commissioned by Braxen choir in1997. It was first performed in the Concert Hall of Kotka 03.15.1998. Helsinki was premiered in the Old Church in September of that year. The text by the acclaimed Fiinnish poet Pia Perkiö is mainly based on text passages of the Psalms and the Book of Job. Their essential content is crystallized in the question "where are you?". This people ask today from God and also from themselves. The content was also influenced by many personal experiences, not least a ski hiking tour in the high mountain area of Finnish Lapland in the early spring of 1997, during which a cloud descended upon the earth. At that moment all the necessary coordinates that are needed in determining the position disappeared completely. The only thing perceptible by the senses was a sound of melt water below the snow. This is how the water came to the music and began to flow. The joy of discovering may be a clear musical experience, but being found - who is doing what - is more likely rather confusing. It is also a paradox related to life and to God: when you are far away, you may be near, when you are lost, you may be found, when you are guilty, you may be forgiven. This paradox is present all along the song cycle. Accordingly, the pleasure of the music is rarely just clear sunshine. Instead, its more subtle rays tend to lengthen as they are filtered through the cloud. In the middle of the current flood of stimulus we may feel lost, especially in front of some of the great questions of life. Ready-made answers are few and everyone has to find them yourself. Sometimes it will take time, but at the edge of the living water is a good place to wait. |
ChoralEspoo 2000 TV ad music / KuoroEspoo 2000 -TV-mainosmusiikki
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One of the highlights of my "composer's career" was to hear how the solid sound of a mixed choir changes during the same long note to the northern lightness of a children's choir. This is about 23 seconds of music written for a TV commercial in the spirit of the Kalevala, Fredric Pacius and national romanticism for the Independence Day concert of ChoralEspoo Festival. Dominante Choir, led by Seppo Murto, is singing the first 10 seconds and in the second half we hear the sound of the Tapiola Choir, directed by Kari Ala-Pöllänen. Choral music from Espoo got this way the MTV3 channel nearly 50 reps within two months. The video uses the original sound track, but the image is re-constructed, as those with a keen eye will notice the fact that the figure of The Tapiola Choir shows the new conductor, Pasi Hyökki, successor of Erkki Pohjola and Kari Ala-Pöllänen. The re-constructed TV ad also shows a new graphic look of ChoralEspoo, designed by Antti Kangassalo.
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More information
Treasures in the Waste
Treasures in the Waste
The Wind Matters
The Wind Matters
The Wind Matters for flute and guitar originates from the inspirational essence of the wind. We were looking for a windy sanctuary with good acoustics and therefore we ended up in St. Anna ́s Church on the island of Kökar, a most remote island on the southern edge of Åland ́s archipelago.The church is located on an open cliff in the vicinity of the medieval monastery, only a few ten meters from the seafront. In windy weather the wind and the sounds of the sea can be heard in the church. This late summer day the weather was calm and the exceptionally fine acoustics of the church is audible.
The story dates back to mid-nineties when our younger daughter was about 8 years. We used to lie down on the living room couch with little Johanna, watching the birch tree branches that the wind waved outside the window. She wondered what makes them move as nothing could be seen that would be the cause.What followed were very in-depth discussions with the 8-year-old. Every now and then we used to ask each other whether we should ‘talk about the wind issues’ which meant that we should go to the sofa, lie down and watch the birch trees and talk.What actually is the wind and is there something else that is invisible but can make things - even us - move and act as we do? Soon the concept of the wind issues stabilized in our minds into the wind matters as we found out that this is a spiritual picture.The Wind really matters.This piece of music is a memory of those discussions.
I have used the material of The Wind Matters in a previous work for soprano, flute, guitar and a mixed choir (Missä Olet?/Where You Are?, lyrics by Pia Perkiö) and it has been recorded by the Braxen Choir, conducted by Harry Westerlund.
With this piece of music we ́d like to thank Åland ́s södra skärgårdsförsamling and vicar Peter Karlsson for the use of the church. Special thanks go to property manager Krister for additional heating of the church which made the session so comfortable.Warm thanks go also to Hotel Brudhäll and Natalie for very nice accommodation in a room with the sea right behind the window and delicious archipelago dishes.
The story dates back to mid-nineties when our younger daughter was about 8 years. We used to lie down on the living room couch with little Johanna, watching the birch tree branches that the wind waved outside the window. She wondered what makes them move as nothing could be seen that would be the cause.What followed were very in-depth discussions with the 8-year-old. Every now and then we used to ask each other whether we should ‘talk about the wind issues’ which meant that we should go to the sofa, lie down and watch the birch trees and talk.What actually is the wind and is there something else that is invisible but can make things - even us - move and act as we do? Soon the concept of the wind issues stabilized in our minds into the wind matters as we found out that this is a spiritual picture.The Wind really matters.This piece of music is a memory of those discussions.
I have used the material of The Wind Matters in a previous work for soprano, flute, guitar and a mixed choir (Missä Olet?/Where You Are?, lyrics by Pia Perkiö) and it has been recorded by the Braxen Choir, conducted by Harry Westerlund.
With this piece of music we ́d like to thank Åland ́s södra skärgårdsförsamling and vicar Peter Karlsson for the use of the church. Special thanks go to property manager Krister for additional heating of the church which made the session so comfortable.Warm thanks go also to Hotel Brudhäll and Natalie for very nice accommodation in a room with the sea right behind the window and delicious archipelago dishes.
Tarinankertojat/The Storytellers
Tarinankertojat released a CD with the name Tarinankertojat (The Storytellers) in 2010. They describe the story behind their music as follows: "And so they lived happily ever after. Prior to that they had lived the adventure, longed endlessly for something and killed the dragon. Or, they had cleaned up the mess left by the wicked stepsisters. All stories throughout all ages, in all villages and in all families tell of the heart's longing and need to hear the story's happy ending. The heart's longing is for real. As is our own longing for the storyteller into whose larger story our own tale fits. It fascinates and captivates us through life's long journey. An invitation from the author of this Great Story comes to us in written form and in the manifest forms of everyday life. Perhaps one day we will linger and listen. Then will we feel that we are on the verge of grasping the thread of the plot and be swept along unreservedly. Then will we begin to understand all that has beforehand transpired and the meaning of all that. Musicians: Maarit Sahlman (vocals, violin, viola), Mari Savolainen (vocals, violin), Marjatta Vilja (flute), Paulus Rissanen (djembe, cajon, perc.), Juha Vilja (guitars, vocals), featuring Teri Mantere (guitar, track11).
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