Kantele Mass at Naselle's Finnish American Folk Festival

The Finnish American Folk Festival of Naselle is pleased to announce a returning feature from FinnFest USA ’06 . . .

Kantele Mass

The music of the Kantele Mass was composed by Jarkko Yli-Annala, music director of the Porvoo Finnish Congregation. The lyrics were written by Anna-Mari Kaskinen, a renowned Finnish poet and author. The Kantele Mass was commissioned by Livakat and Evergreen Kantele ensembles, and was premiered at the FinnFest USA ’06 in Astoria, Oregon.

The Mass is a meditative service with music of a gentle nature, all played by kanteles. The service is combined with the traditional Lutheran liturgy.

The 15-member Livakat/Evergreen Kantele Ensemble hails from the Pacific Northwest and includes nine players of big kanteles (from 29 to 39 strings), two players of ten-string and four players of five-string kanteles. A flute occasionally joins in, enhancing the sound, and a drum keeps the rhythm going.

The music director is Wilho Saari, one of the best known and widely acknowledged kantele players in the United States. The director and the founder of the group is Satu Mikkola. Following kantele players will participate in Saturday’s afternoon concert: Valerie Blessley (also playing flute), Elisa Boynton, Pirjo Caddy, Marja Hall, Elsie Hjelt, Sophia Johnson, Helen Kolehmainen, Rita Vermala-Koski, Eva Männistö, Satu Mikkola, Nischa Roman, Kaisa Saari, Wilho Saari, Eila Swenson and Tina Swenson.

In July 2007, the 14-member Livakat/Evergreen Kantele Ensemble group toured Finland after accepting an invitation from Finland. The Mass was celebrated in seven different venues in the southern part of Finland during the two-week music tour. It was a great success.

The Finnish-American Folk Festival presents:

	Naselle, Washington	Knee Deep in Finns Finn Am Jams Events to mark on your calendar Local dining & lodging Suomi & America
	The Finnish American Folk Festival of Naselle is pleased to announce a returning feature from FinnFest USA ’06 . . . Kantele Mass The music of the Kantele Mass was composed by Jarkko Yli-Annala, music director of the Porvoo Finnish Congregation. The lyrics were written by Anna-Mari Kaskinen, a renowned Finnish poet and author. The Kantele Mass was commissioned by Livakat and Evergreen Kantele ensembles, and was premiered at the FinnFest USA ’06 in Astoria, Oregon. The Mass is a meditative service with music of a gentle nature, all played by kanteles. The service is combined with the traditional Lutheran liturgy. The 15-member Livakat/Evergreen Kantele Ensemble hails from the Pacific Northwest and includes nine players of big kanteles (from 29 to 39 strings), two players of ten-string and four players of five-string kanteles. A flute occasionally joins in, enhancing the sound, and a drum keeps the rhythm going. The music director is Wilho Saari, one of the best known and widely acknowledged kantele players in the United States. The director and the founder of the group is Satu Mikkola. Following kantele players will participate in Saturday’s afternoon concert: Valerie Blessley (also playing flute), Elisa Boynton, Pirjo Caddy, Marja Hall, Elsie Hjelt, Sophia Johnson, Helen Kolehmainen, Rita Vermala-Koski, Eva Männistö, Satu Mikkola, Nischa Roman, Kaisa Saari, Wilho Saari, Eila Swenson and Tina Swenson. In July 2007, the 14-member Livakat/Evergreen Kantele Ensemble group toured Finland after accepting an invitation from Finland. The Mass was celebrated in seven different venues in the southern part of Finland during the two-week music tour. It was a great success. More music at the festival: finnam.naselle.net/2008/music/.