Women choir KYN release an album of new music by composer Mikko Hassinen. The album launch show takes place on 26 October at Helsinki's Savoy Theatre with KYN being joined by top jazzers Hassinen, Manuel Dunkel and Ville Herrala.
One of the finest Finnish choirs, KYN bring out their new album on 26 October. Entitled Jos minä puhuisin sinulle, it will be the 8th release for KYN who also celebrate their 35th anniversary this year. The launch concert will take place on the release date, seeing the choir joined by three A-listing jazzers: percussionist Mikko Hassinen, saxophonist Manuel Dunkel and bassist Ville Herrala on the stage of Helsinki’s Savoy Theatre. Coming out on Alba Records, the new album is comprised of folk-inspired jazz music written by Hassinen, who was awarded with the prestigious Teosto Music Prize last year.
The album is composed of three parts. The disc begins with a number of Finnish folk songs in jazz arrangements, and continues with KYN’s folk-inspired take on American jazz standards in Finnish. The third part is a series of compositions based on poems by Finnish poet Virpi Stenlund. The album sees KYN add another chapter to their signature genre, ‘ethnic jazz’, which combines melodic elements and lyrics from the tradition of Finnish folk music with the rhythmic and harmonic conventions of jazz.
KYN is an ambitious Finnish women’s choir, driven by the impulse to reform the traditional ideas of choral music. Due to their originality, KYN is a sought-after act both in Finland and abroad. In recent years the choir has been seen on stage in France and Taiwan, for instance. KYN has been successful in international competitions and reviews as well, winning, for instance, a gold medal in 2014 in the World Choir Games.
Watch the promotional video for the track “Kullan ylistys” here.
KYN: Jos minä puhuisin sinulle
Alba Records 2016 (ABACD 15, release date 26 Oct 2016)
1. Ol' kaunis kesäilta( trad.) / 2. Tähtien lumous (Stella By Starlight) (composed by Victor Young, lyrics by Ned Washington, Finnish lyrics by Saukki) / 3. Kullan ylistys (trad.) / 4. Aamulla varhain (trad.) / 5. Ei sanaakaan (Insensatez) (composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim, lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes, Finnish lyrics by Chrisse Johansson) / 6. Sinua, sinua rakastan (composed by Kaj Chydenius, lyrics by Aulikki Oksanen) / 7. Vain öisin ('Round Midnight) (composed by Thelonious Monk & Cootie Williams, lyrics by Bernard Hanighen, Finnish lyrics by Juice Leskinen) / 8. Minä kunnioittaisin sinua... (composed by Mikko Hassinen, lyrics by Virpi Stenlund) / 9. Siksi kunnes kertoisit (composed by Mikko Hassinen, lyrics by Virpi Stenlund) / 10. Sinä kulkisit ohitseni (composed by Mikko Hassinen, lyrics by Virpi Stenlund)
Arrangements: Mikko Hassinen
KYN / Jos minä puhuisin sinulle album launch show
Wed 26 Oct 2016 at 19, Savoy-teatteri (Kasarmikatu 46-48, Helsinki)
Tickets starting at 17,50 €
http://www.kyn.fi
http://www.facebook.com/KYNchoir
http://www.youtube.com/KYN1981
Photo: Maarit Kytöharju.