One of Finland's leading female choirs KYN will release a new album Varjoista on April 13 in honor of its 40th anniversary. The album features three new female choral series commissioned by KYN, composed by Mikko Hassinen, Kirmo Lintinen and Riikka Talvitie. The choral series, drawing influences from jazz and contemporary music, are united by award-winning poet Harry Salmenniemi's work Yö ja lasi, from which the composers have chosen the texts for their compositions. The album release concert will be held on April 13 at Temppelinaukio church.
In honor of its 40th anniversary, KYN releases a new album Varjoista (’from the shadows’).
KYN has travelled the roads of songs, breaking musical boundaries and renewing the choral repertoire with commissioned works since 1981. Under the conducting of Kaija Viitasalo, KYN has become one of the top choirs in Finland, which is also appreciated internationally. The album release concert is part of the Kuoromusiikin kausikonsertit series.
The album contains three sets of women's choir suites commissioned by KYN. Composers Mikko Hassinen, Kirmo Lintinen and Riikka Talvitie have been chosen to implement the idea of bringing jazz and contemporary music together. The texts of the compositions are from Harry Salmenniemi's award-winning poetry work Yö ja lasi. At the Varjoista concert, Lintinen's Krookus songs and Talvitie's Varjot will have their premieres. Hassinen's Illalla premiered in October 2019.
KYN: Varjoista
Alba Records (CD/digi)
Release date 13.4.2023
Krookus-songs 2019
composer Kirmo Lintinen
lyrics Harry Salmenniemi
1. Yö ja lasi / 2. Iltapäivä / 3. Lahja / 4. Ennustus
Varjot 2020/2023
composer Riikka Talvitie
lyrics Harry Salmenniemi
1. Tuuli lakkaa / 2. Tyhjä kiertyy ympärille / 3. Toivon että toivon
Illalla 2019
composer Mikko Hassinen
lyrics Harry Salmenniemi
1. Illalla hangatessani hikeä iholta / 2. Illalla en ole siellä / 3. Ensimmäistä kertaa huomasin linnut / 4. Illalla ei retoriikkaa vaan kaipaus / 5. Illalla minun on hengitettävä
Varjoista record release concert
Thu 13.4.2023 at 19, presentation of the compositions at klo 18:15
Temppeliaukio Church, Lutherinkatu 3, Helsinki
Tickets: from 16,50 € Tiketti. Event on Facebook.
KYN, conducted by Kaija Viitasalo
Mikko Hassinen, live electronics
Vuokko Hovatta, speaking parts in electronics
Pekka Tulkki, sound design
Mika Venhovaara, lighting design
Photo: Liisa Valonen