Search - Loituma :: Things of Beauty

Loituma
Things of Beauty
Genre: Folk

Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
1. Eriskummainen Kantele (My Kantele) - Loituma, Kurki-Suonio, Sanna
2. Kultaansa Ikävöivä (There Is My Lover) - Loituma, Vaananen, Timo
3. Viimesen Kerran (The Very Last Time} - Loituma, Kurki-Suonio, Sanna
4. Minuet and Polska - Loituma, Traditional
5. Kun Mun Kultani Tulisi (Missing Him) - Loituma, Traditional
6. Valamon Kirkonkellot (Valamo Cloister Bells) - Loituma, Traditional
7. Ai, Ai Taas Sattuu (Oh, Oh, It Hurts Again) - Loituma, Alaspaa, Toivo
8. Suo (Marshland) - Loituma, Martii Pokela
9. Kilme Kaunista (Three Things of Beauty) - Loituma, Kauranen, Sari
10. Levan Polkka (Leva's Polka) - Loituma, Traditional

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CD Details

All Artists: Loituma
Title: Things of Beauty
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
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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Member CD Reviews

IC B.
Reviewed on 7/24/2025...

Loituma is a young quartet who combine the Finish vocal tradition with the exquisite sounds of the kantele (Finnish harp). At ease with four-part unaccompanied vocals as well as kantele instrumentals, Loituma were selected Band of the Year at the 1997 Kaustinen Folkmusic festival. Instrumentation includes traditional singing, fiddle, 5 string kantele, alto recorder, double bass and Lapin drum. "Things of Beauty" provides notes and commentary on the texts of the traditional and original contemporary songs. For further information, and translations, see www.noside.com.

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

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!"