Folkelarm resounds with Finnish folk music

The Norwegian folk music showcase Folkelarm will feature three Finnish performers this autumn (29 Sep - 1 Oct). The festival presents accordionist Antti Paalanen, fiddler Arto Järvelä, and the Finnish-Swedish combo Nordik Tree among the 18 Nordic performers.

Antti Paalanen is one of the masters of the contemporary Finnish folk accordion, specialising in the diatonic accordions. His music takes folk music to its fringes, occasionally reminding of contemporary art music in its minimalist, contemplative soundscapes. Antti Paalanen has recently received a lot of international attention: he was selected, for example, to the very high-grade Womex showcase programme in October 2011.

Nordik Tree embodies the sound of Nordic folk music tradition. The trio consists of two Finns, Arto Järvelä (fiddle, octave mandolin) and Timo Alakotila (harmonium, piano), and Hans Kennemark (fiddle, viola) from Sweden. The group has first met in 1984, and played as Nordik Tree from 2006 onwards.

Arto Järvelä has made an impressive career also as a solo fiddler. At Folkelarm he will have an opportunity to take the stage all by himself. Järvelä is involved in dozens of groups and projects, among others Pinnin Pojat, the Helsinki Mandoliners, Erik Hokkanen & Lumisudet, and perhaps most importantly, the legendary fiddler band JPP.

Merja Hottinen / Fimic
30 August, 2011