Biography

Quartet Ajaton’s second album Early Music in the Latest Way was released in 2021.

As the name implies, the album features old music, mainly compositions from the Renaissance and Baroque eras, which in the warm but unconventional embrace of this unique band receive a new, significantly different interpretations from the traditional.

The backgrounds of the musicians range from jazz music to baroque, Argentine tango to contemporary music, improvisation and all kinds of experimentation. This has made the collaboration of the quartet a real exploration during its six-year history.

“We wanted to create a bridge between the past and the present; a timeless landscape bridge with views of both the new and the old – and when you look at it, you notice more and more details in the music,” describes Mia Simanainen.

The band released their debut album Elixir (Eclipse Music) in 2016 and their video collection 2018. Their repertoire has been like a collection of exceptions, with improvised landscapes, folk verses, 16th century lute songs and original compositions forming a surprising whole.

Tracklist

1. MIGNONNE, ALLONS VOIR SI LA ROSEJehan Chardavoine (16th century)
2. Come AgainJohn Dowland (1563-1626)
3. Improvisation On “Les Voix Humaines”Marin Marais (1656-1728)
4. When I Am Laid In EarthPurcell, Henry (1659-1695)
5. Awake, Sweet LoveJohn Dowland (1563-1626)
6. In Darkness Let Me DwellJohn Dowland (1563-1626)
7. The Self BanishedJohn Blow (1649-1708)
8. Now, O Now, I Needs Must PartJohn Dowland (1563-1626)
9. Waka Wanha Wäinämöinentrad.