# Tapiola Choir, Ensemble > Tapiola Choir, Ensemble – 22 recordings on Ondine. The Tapiola Choir is one of the world's leading children's choirs and consists of 70 young musicians aged 9… Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/tapiola-choir - **Role:** Ensemble ## Biography The Tapiola Choir is one of the world's leading children's choirs and consists of 70 young musicians aged 9 to 18, all of whom also play at least one musical instrument in addition to singing. Erkki Pohjola founded the Tapiola Choir in Espoo in 1963. After meeting Zoltan Kodály and Carl Orff in 1964, he adapted their ideas into a free-form education method with a chamber-music approach, building on the innate creativity and musical talents of children. He continued to pursue this new music education ideal as conductor of the Tapiola Choir for over three decades. During that time, the Choir evolved from a run-of-the-mill school choir into one of the most acclaimed vocal instruments of our time. International critics called its unique sound the ‘Tapiola Sound'. Kari Ala-Pöllänen continued the work of Erkki Pohjola from 1994 to 2008, until he was succeeded by Pasi Hyökki, one of the Choir's own alumni. Since winning the Silver Rose Bowl at the prestigious ‘Let the Peoples Sing' competition organized by the BBC in 1971, the Choir has undertaken more than 60 international tours, three of them circumnavigating the globe. In 1996, the Tapiola Choir became the first recipient in the field of music of the UNESCO Prize for the Promotion of the Performing Arts. The Tapiola Choir has a highly diverse repertoire, ranging from the classical repertoire to contemporary music, from folk music to jazz. Numerous Finnish and foreign composers have written new works for the ensemble, often with the Choir being actively involved in the composition process. The Tapiola Choir has made numerous recordings mostly for the Ondine label. ## Discography on Ondine (22) - [Aulis Sallinen: Highlights · 90th Anniversary Album](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1490-2.md): Jyväskylä Sinfonia, Ville Matvejeff · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Okko Kamu · Tapiola Sinfonietta, Osmo Vänskä · Finnish National Opera Orchestra, Ulf Söderblom (ODE 1490-2, 2025) - [Marjatta the Lowly Maiden · Einojuhani Rautavaara: Works for Children's Choir](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1169-2.md): Tapiola Choir · Pasi Hyökki, conductor (ODE 1169-2, 2011) - [Kiitosta soi lauluni: Kauneimpia hengellisiä lauluja](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1170-2d.md): Soile Isokoski · Karita Mattila · Jorma Hynninen · Sauli Tiilikainen · Esa Ruuttunen · Tapiolan Kuoro (ODE 1170-2D, 2010) - [Heikki Sarmanto: The Song of Extinct Birds](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/octo-411-2.md): Tapiola Choir · Heikki Sarmanto Ensemble · Kari Ala-Pöllänen, conductor (OCTO 411-2, 2005) - [Joulu, oi joulu](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1011-2.md): Gabriel Suovanen, baritone · Tapiola Choir · Kari Ala-Pöllänen, conductor (ODE 1011-2, 2002) - [Maan korvessa kulkevi lapsosen tie: (Sacred Songs)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-902-2.md): Tapiola Choir · Kari Ala-Pöllänen, conductor (ODE 902-2, 1997) - [Rainbow Sounds](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-884-2.md): Tapiola Choir · Kari Ala-Pöllänen, conductor (ODE 884-2, 1996) - [Jouluna Jumala syntyi. Tapiola Choir Christmas](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-828-2.md): Jorma Hynninen, baritone · Tapiola Choir · Erkki Pohjola, conductor · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Jorma Panula, conductor (ODE 828-2, 1994) - [Dreams](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-786-2.md): Tapiola Choir · Erkki Pohjola, conductor · Tapiola Sinfonietta · Osmo Vänskä, conductor (ODE 786-2, 1992) - [Sininen ja Valkoinen -: A Selection of Finnish Songs](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-785-2.md): Tapiola Choir · Erkki Pohjola, conductor · Tapiola Sinfonietta · Jorma Panula, conductor (ODE 785-2, 1992) - [Seasons of Finnish Lifestyle](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1152-2.md): Photo album + CD (ODE 1152-2, 2009) - [Talven taikaa: Music for Winter Moments](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1160-2.md): Various Artists (ODE 1160-2, 2009) - [Joulun tähdet. Star Christmas: featuring Karita Mattila · Soile Isokoski · Lilli Paasikivi · Johanna Rusanen-Kartano · Jorma Hynninen · Matti Salminen](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1138-2.md): Pertti Pekkanen, conductor · Lilli Paasikivi, mezzo-soprano · Soile Isokoski, soprano · Tapiola Choir · Matti Hyökki, conductor · Turku Philharmonic Orchestra · Matti Salminen, bass · Helsinki Chamber Choir · Timo Nuoranne, conductor · YL Male Voice Choir · Kyösti Haatanen, conductor · Jorma Panula, conductor · Ulf Söderblom, conductor · Jyväskylä Sinfonia · Jorma Hynninen, baritone · The Musica Choir of Jyväskylä · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Chorus Cathedralis Aboensis · Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra · Karita Mattila, soprano · Savonlinna Opera Festival Choir · Erkki Pohjola, conductor · Johanna Rusanen-Kartano, soprano (ODE 1138-2, 2008) - [Finland. A Celebration of Music and Nature](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1053-2q.md): Various Finnish Artists (ODE 1053-2Q, 2008) - [Land of the Midnight Sun: Music and Images from Finland](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1093-2.md): Photo album + CD (ODE 1093-2, 2006) - [Tunnelmallista joulua: (Cosy Christmas)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-502-2.md): Karita Mattila · Monica Groop · Jorma Hynninen · Finnish Radio Chamber Choir · Various orchestras and conductors (ODE 502-2, 2006) - [Souda, souda sinisorsa. Lasten oma Sibelius-levy](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1083-2.md): Olli Mustonen · Pekka Kuusisto · Jorma Hynninen · Tapiola Choir etc. (ODE 1083-2, 2006) - [Tapiola Choir: Joy! - Highlights from the world-famous children's choir](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1003-2.md): Tapiola Choir · Kari Ala-Pöllänen, conductor · Erkki Pohjola, conductor (ODE 1003-2, 2002) - [Classical Images from Finland](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1004-2.md): Photo album + CD (ODE 1004-2, 2002) - [Iloinen joulu](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-993-2.md): Tapiola Choir · Various choirs, orchestras and conductors (ODE 993-2, 2001) - [Joulu Ainolassa. Christmas in Ainola](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-966-2.md): Various Artists (ODE 966-2, 2000) - [Kauneimmat joululaulut. Christmas Carols](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-948-2.md): Various Artists (ODE 948-2, 1999) ## Links - [Official Website](http://www.tapiolachoir.fi)