Soumalainen Virsi (Finnish Hymns), Vol. 3

Osmo Vänskä / Lahti Symphony Orchestra

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Soumalainen Virsi (Finnish Hymns), Vol. 3 Review

by Blair Sanderson

The third and last disc in the BIS survey of the Finnish hymnal consists of modern arrangements of a few familiar Protestant hymns and other sacred melodies seldom heard outside Finland. Like the pieces on the previous two volumes, these are all instrumental versions without voices. The majority of them were produced by the musicians of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra -- conductor Osmo Vänskä, first violinist Jaakko Kuusisto, bassoonist Harri Ahmas, and resident composer Kalevi Aho, with a few other contributions to the project by Olli Kortekangas, Ilkka Kuusisto, and Kari Tikka. While most of the arrangements are reverent and within the boundaries of good taste, there are a few that venture too far into symphonic fantasy and kitsch, such as the incredibly bombastic Sinfoninen sarja by Kuusisto, the disturbingly militaristic Quasimodogeniti by Tikka, and the vulgar mini-epic Nyt ylös, sieluni by Vänskä. Without knowing that the main themes are hymn tunes, and that the music is meant to reflect religious feelings, the listener might easily mistake these pieces for the worst kind of "swords and sandals" soundtrack music. Despite the generally fine performances and good sound, this peculiar album is too secular in flavor for the devout, and too tedious for anyone not immersed in Finnish culture.

Track Listing

Title/Composer Performer Time Stream
1
Sinfoninen sarja (Symphonic Suite), Op. 14
Jaakko Kuusisto
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 07:55 SpotifyAmazon
2
Kun on turva Jumalassa (When safe in God), Vk 397 (Swedish 1873)
Anonymous, Finnish
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 03:20 SpotifyAmazon
3
Me kiitämme sinua (We praise thee, O God), Vk 126
Richard Faltin
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 03:08 SpotifyAmazon
4
Herra, kädelläsi (O Lord, I may dwell in thy hand), Vk 517
Pekka Simojoki
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 03:08 SpotifyAmazon
5
Quasimodogeniti, for orchestra
Kari Tikka
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 08:42 SpotifyAmazon
6
Kiitos sulle, Jumalani (Thanks to God), for orchestra (after Merikanto & Stebbins)
Olli Kortekangas
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 03:33 SpotifyAmazon
7
Minä vaivainen, vain mato (I am a lowly worm, a traveler), Vk 622 (Toisinto Lapualta)
Finnish Traditional
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 03:20 SpotifyAmazon
8
Sinuhin turvaan, Jumala (In thee I trust, my God), Vk 382 (Toisinto Pohjois-Savosta)
Finnish Traditional
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 07:13 SpotifyAmazon
9
Siion, Kutsu kansat maan (Zion called the peoples of the earth), Vk 421 (Böömissa 1541)
Finnish Traditional
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 03:18 SpotifyAmazon
10
Halleluja! Nyt ylistys (Hallelujah, praise the Lord), Vk 133 (tune from Piae Cantiones)
Anonymous, Finnish
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 02:55 SpotifyAmazon
11
Nyt ylös, sieluni (Arise, my soul), Vk 632 (Toisinto Kalannista)
Finnish Traditional
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 05:18 SpotifyAmazon
12
Pois pelko, Herran kansa (Fear not, o people of God), Vk 176 (German 1627)
Finnish Traditional
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 04:21 SpotifyAmazon
13
Ilta on tullut, Luojani (Evening has come, my Creator), Vk 563
Sofie Lithenius
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 05:16 SpotifyAmazon
14
Oi Herra suuri (How great thou art) (Alkuperä tuntematon 1889)
Finnish Traditional
Lahti Symphony Orchestra / Osmo Vänskä 04:05 SpotifyAmazon
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Soumalainen Virsi (Finnish Hymns), Vol. 3

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