KYN, one of the most acclaimed Finnish women’s choirs, is heading to Riga, Latvia, to participate in The World Choir Games competition this week. With 460 choirs from 73 different countries, it is the biggest choir singing competition of the world. KYN will participate in the Champions Competition, which is aimed at choirs that have proven themselves proficient in international competitions and festivals before. KYN’s repertoire for the Games has been compiled from Finnish and non-Finnish classic choral music for women’s choir and ethnic jazz music, KYN’s speciality.
“It will be a very inspiring and musically stimulating visit”, says Kaija Viitasalo, who is celebrating her 25-year career as the choir’s artistic director this year. “It is a wonderful experience to be able to see and be seen in the international choral music scene. We are happy for the chance of exporting Finnish music, too”, Viitasalo continues.
In addition to competing, KYN will perform twice in Riga. The choir was specifically requested by the artistic management of the Games to sing in one of the concerts. KYN will be accompanied to Riga and in Riga with Finnish accordion artist Johanna Juhola.
KYN makes music with a passionate and proficient attitude. The group is known for their expressiveness, original sound and unique repertoire of ethnic jazz. KYN performs actively, collaborating often with notable Finnish artists. The choir is a sought-after act by international choir festivals, having been invited to perform in France and Taiwan, among others, in recent years. KYN has been successful in international competitions and reviews as well; in 2011, for instance, they reached the highest level in Tampere Vocal Music Festival, Tampereen Sävel.
World Choir Games, also known as The Choir Olympics, is a choir competition, organised this year for the 8th time. In 2014 the competition is run in Riga, Latvia, spanning 9 to 19 July. KYN will compete in women’s choir category on Saturday 12 July. The games will begin at 11AM.
Further information: Susanna Kantelinen tel. + 385 50 4125282, tuottaja@kyn.fi
www.kyn.fi
KYN's repertoire in Riga
Ave Maria
Composed & text by David MacIntyre (1952-)
Suite de Lorca
Composed by Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928-)
Text by Federico García Lorca (1898-1936)
Requiem
Composed by Anna-Mari Kähärä (1963-)
Text by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)
Arr. Säde Bartling (1965-)
Kaipaava
Trad.
Arr. Essi Wuorela & Jussi Chydenius (1971- & 1972-)