Search - Sinakka Kontio, Matti Kontio :: Soul of Kantele

Luminous

Allen Salyer | Troy, MI United States | 07/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Kantele, a plucked instrument of the zither family, is considered Finland's national folk instrument. This high status is epitomized by the cover art, R.W. Ekman's 1860 painting "Vainamoinen Plays The Kantele" showing a Christ-like figure in long white robes playing kantele atop the mountain. Sinikka and Matti are two figures in contemporary kantele performance playing skillful, charming duets on an instrument that expresses grace, beauty, poise and reflection within its strings. The kantele's resonate high strings convey the calm of water in the opening "Koitere, the Pearl of Karelia" while the moody bass strings give depth. Shimmering, wavering starlight is protrayed perfectly in "It Was A Beautiful Summer Night." The amazing picking action in "Polska 125" creates an avalanche of notes while "Waltz of the West" has a delightful music box quality. The sad, angelic sound in "Oh, If Only Sleep Would Come," a prayer by a person longing for death, totally envelopes you, like the arrival of a great spirit. "In My Wretchedness I Complain" is haunting, like lonely snowflakes arriving on a cold winter night. "The Spinning Wheel of the Old Manor" was written by Billy Hill in 1933. There's a familiarity to the song, like a vintage C&W tune. "Hirki's Schottische" is a celebration of birth. Here the notes slide with a magic touch, like Hawaiian slack key guitar. A friend commissioned "Kissala Ladies." Originally to be called "Kissala Laddies," the titled was changed when she gave birth to a boy. "Brisatka" is a wispy frolic in the rain while in "Seaman's Schottische" we're out in the field picking corn, the warmth of the sun on your face. The closing "Koitere, the Pearl of Karelia" takes us back to where we started."