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Things of Beauty
Loituma
Things of Beauty
Genre: Folk
 
  •  Track Listings (10) - Disc #1

The kantele, a mix of harp, hammered dulcimer, and zither, is Finland's national instrument, and Loituma show the range of its possibilities on this album. Ranging from the traditional, like "Leva's Polka" (which was relea...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Loituma
Title: Things of Beauty
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Northside Records
Original Release Date: 2/24/1998
Release Date: 2/24/1998
Album Type: Enhanced
Genre: Folk
Style: Traditional Folk
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 021561601024

Synopsis

Amazon.com
The kantele, a mix of harp, hammered dulcimer, and zither, is Finland's national instrument, and Loituma show the range of its possibilities on this album. Ranging from the traditional, like "Leva's Polka" (which was released as a Finnish single and hit the charts), to the modern, the band covers a musical territory that encompasses the atmospheric with Marti Pokela's insidious "Marshaland" and "Three Things of Beauty," whose words are adapted from Kalevala poetry, and bring to mind an acoustic Cocteau Twins. Originally formed by two singers who later moved to Hedningarna, Loituma produce a lovely balance of vocal and instrumental pieces that offer unalloyed joy while introducing American audiences to the light magic that is the kantele. --Chris Nickson

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CD Reviews

Loituma Lives Up To Their Name
weller.29@osu.edu | Hilliard, Ohio | 08/29/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"You read that Vainamoinen, hero the the Finnish epic "Kalevala" worked great feats of magic and charms by playing the Kantele (Finnish harp) as no other could. You will be a believer when you hear Loituma's "Things of Beauty." I was amazed at the wealth of undiscovered beauty that has been brought forth by Baltic Finnish culture. For example, the exquisite "Kolme Kaunista" 'Three Things of Beauty'. It captures the essence of that surge of joy one feels on a beautiful summer day. "Valamon Kirkonkellot" 'Valamo Cloister Bells' is exceptional in its conveyance of Karelian Orthodox bells. Timo Vaananen delivers a beautiful vocal performance in "Kultaansa Ikavoiva" 'There is My Lover' alongside Sanna-Kurki Sounio's (now of Hedningarna fame) lovely "Eriskumainen Kantele" 'My Kantele.' This album is a gem."
Outstanding - like listening to Angels
weller.29@osu.edu | 03/05/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Spoken Finnish not required - the harmonies and rhythms produced by Loituma are outstanding. Their use of the Finnish Harp compliments the super vocals. You'll be shaking your head - tapping in time - enthralled!"
Fabulous ancient suomic music sung with a deep delicate cont
Claudio Cannella | torino italy | 11/10/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"The quality of the music for normal ears may be 3 to 4 stars but the linguistic and historic value of these ancient suomic music and the delicateness of the voice , resembling the softness of Alison Krauss , to me , an old glottologist , is immense for the insight in the word and communication sytem formation it supplies"