Finland has received three new champion musicians on Monday evening at the opening ceremony of the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival. They are Riina Sakala, two-row harrow (Seinäjoki), Jaakko Kyrö, violin (Mäntsalä) and Alpo Suonvieri, kantele (Alavieska). (Photos: Krista Järvelä)
The title of Master Musician holds great value in the field of folk music and folk dance. A total of 172 masters have been selected so far – the first in 1970, when one of them was the most famous folk musician in all of Finland. Konsta Jylhä. The first champion folk singer was named in 1979, and the first champion folk dancer in 2011.
At the request of the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, the Folk Music Institute prepares an annual presentation of new emerging masters and listens to a wide range of representatives of the field, such as the Finnish Folk Music Federation.
The new champions of the masters' competition will make their debut at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival this evening, at the 20:00 master class in the Soittosali hall.
New champions:
Riina Sakala, Seinäjoki, two-row haitari
Jaakko Kyrö, Mäntsälä, viola
Alpo Suonvieri, Alavieska, kantele
All previous champion players here
Riina Sakala, Seinäjoki, two-row haitari
Riina Sakala is a skilled two-row accordionist from the southern part of Finland who began playing as a child in the accordion circle of the Alavus Civic Academy in 1983, and was also a teacher, among others, of the Kuortane master accordionist Tauno Aho. In 1985, the group assumed leadership responsibility from the master percussionist who had dedicated his life to the benefit of the folk music of Alavus and the southern part of Finland. Airi Hautamäki, whose significance has been great also during Riina’s touring career.
For Riina, folk music is not just a hobby; it is a way of life. He has been playing at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival every summer for 40 years, and the living tradition acquired through learning to play with impaired hearing is reflected in a remarkably wide program. According to reports, he has calculated that he could earn the gold playing card simply by playing the violin.
Currently, Riina Sakala leads the two-violin ensemble in Seinäjoki and plays in numerous other bands. She also has a long list of competition successes behind her. Riina’s own playing is rooted in Southern Finnish folk music. She masters the nuances of the two-violin ensemble with supreme skill: the playing is traditional, but at the same time it also reflects her own vision. Riina Sakala’s playing is highly respected and deeply appreciated in the playing circles: when Riina picks up the violin, everyone knows that it’s serious business.
Jaakko Kyrö, Mäntsälä, viola
Jaakko Kyrö is a musician from Mäntsälä, whose repertoire includes not only the violin but also at least an octave mandolin, bassoon and tuba. His musical roots are in the Mallus River youth club. There, he played the accordion as a child and learned to play brass instruments at the local brass band.
As a musician, Jaakko is largely self-taught; he is a so-called ear player who masters a huge repertoire of songs, especially those that have been picked up through jam sessions. Jaakko is always ready to play, whether in groups of enthusiasts or with professionals – the important thing is the connection between live music and dance.
Jaakko Kyrö is a bridge not only to the tradition of folk music and folk dance in his birthplace, Mallusjoki and Mäntsälä, but also to a culture of collective work that highlights folk traditions more broadly. Jaakko is a modern game-maker who is deeply rooted in the traditions of his region, with his feet firmly planted in Päijät-Häme.
Alpo Suonvieri, Alavieska, kantele
Alpo Suonvieri is a kantele player from Alavieska, whose musical career traces its roots back to the family tradition – his father, brother Vilho and uncle Niilo Everyone played from the same notes, and Alpo first adopted his uncle's characteristic "little style". Later, the songs heard on the radio influenced Alpo's playing and the program, and the playing style continued to evolve.
Alpo plays the melody with his right hand Heikkilä by building a home instrument, the left hand playing in its own way – the style makes it possible for different dance genres as well as spiritual music to harmonize.
Nowadays Alpo is known for, among other things, being the lead singer of a duo. Riikka Yli-Kotila With – the fruit of the collaboration resulted in a record The champion and the follower in 2017. A lifelong commitment to folk music is also reflected in his teaching work: he has served as a flute teacher at the Kalajoki and Ylivieska civic academies.
Alpo's deceased brother Vilho Suonvieri He was also a champion farmer, in the 1998 model year. Alpo has acquired his livelihood through farming and on a farm.
Festival plaque
Since 1968, folk music festivals have been awarding festival plaques to individuals who have distinguished themselves in the field of folk music and dance and who have supported the festivals in various ways through their own activities. This year, the plaque was accepted at the opening ceremony. Juhani Näreharju. The original plaque was designed by an artist from Kaustinen. Tapio Wirkkala.
Juhani Näreharju has dedicated a long and diverse life to the benefit of Finnish folk music. He has been involved in the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival as a small-scale musician since 1968 and for decades thereafter as a performer, announcer, employee of the Folk Music Institute, and in numerous committees of the festival and the institute.
Näreharju has also been one of the key builders of the field of Finnish folk music. He has served as a teacher, as the director of the Finnish Folk Music Federation, as the secretary of the Folk Music Central Federation, and in several national trust positions in folk music. Particularly significant is his nearly four-decade-long work as a lecturer in folk music education at the Sibelius Academy, as department head, deputy head, and tutor.
In addition, his work with the Etno.net publications, online service and the Yle Radio Folk Music programs has promoted the recording, visibility and recognition of Finnish folk music.
Juhani Näreharju’s contribution and mark are evident both in the history of the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival and in the development of the entire field of Finnish folk music.