# YL Male Voice Choir, Ensemble

> YL Male Voice Choir, Ensemble – 13 recordings on Ondine. The YL Male Voice Choir is a pioneer in Finnish choral music. Founded at the University of Helsinki…

Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/yl-male-voice-choir

- **Role:** Ensemble

## Biography

The YL Male Voice Choir is a pioneer in Finnish choral music. Founded at the University of Helsinki in 1883, it is the oldest Finnish-language choir in Finland. Its cultural merits, extensive history of concerts, several tours abroad and numerous critically acclaimed recordings have established it as one of the world’s most prominent male voice choirs.

Ever since its founding, YL has pursued a policy of commissioning, performing and recording both Finnish and foreign choral music. Most of the major works of Jean Sibelius for male voice choir were commissioned and premiered by YL. Today, the choir is recognized as the leading performing authority on Sibelius and also as a champion of contemporary music. Many contemporary composers, among them Einojuhani Rautavaara, have dedicated works to YL.

YL regularly gives concerts all around Finland and also exports Finnish music to Europe, America and Asia. In addition to its extensive and diverse a cappella repertoire, YL performs choral works with major international orchestras and conductors. Many well-known soloists in both the classical and popular genres have made guest appearances in YL concerts and on YL recordings. The YL Christmas concerts are a well-established tradition with the choir and audiences alike; every year, they bring some 12,000 listeners to the churches of Helsinki. The choir's Christmas disc featuring Soile Isokoski (Jouluyö, juhlayö) went gold, selling more than 15,000 copies in December 2006 ([ODE 1088-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1088-2)).

In 2010, YL appointed Pasi Hyökki as its new conductor. He succeeded Matti Hyökki who had led the choir during 20 years, with many awards along the way.

## Discography on Ondine (13)

- [Soi kunniaksi Luojan](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1159-2.md): YL Male Voice Choir · Matti Hyökki, conductor (ODE 1159-2, 2010)
- [Talescapes](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1155-2.md): YL Male Voice Choir · Matti Hyökki, conductor (ODE 1155-2, 2010)
- [Kevätsointuja. Spring tunes](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1144-2.md): YL Male Voice Choir · Matti Hyökki, conductor (ODE 1144-2, 2009)
- [Einojuhani Rautavaara: Complete Works for Male Choir](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1125-2d.md): YL Male Voice Choir · Matti Hyökki, conductor · Talla Vocal Ensemble · Pasi Hyökki, conductor (ODE 1125-2D, 2008)
- [Jean Sibelius: Kullervo (ODE 1122-5)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1122-5.md): Soile Isokoski, soprano · Tommi Hakala, baritone · YL Male Voice Choir · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · Leif Segerstam, conductor (ODE 1122-5, 2008)
- [Jouluyö, juhlayö. Christmas Carols](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1088-2.md): YL Male Voice Choir · Soile Isokoski, soprano · Matti Hyökki, conductor (ODE 1088-2, 2006)
- [Sulle kauneimmat lauluni laulan: Serenades and Love Songs](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1069-2.md): YL Male Voice Choir · Matti Salminen, bass · Matti Hyökki, conductor (ODE 1069-2, 2005)
- [Armas Launis: Aslak Hetta - Opera in Three Acts](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1050-2d.md): Aki Alamikkotervo, tenor · Raili Viljakainen, soprano · Anna-Kristiina Kaappola, soprano · Raimo Laukka, baritone · Eeva-Liisa Saarinen, mezzo soprano · Lassi Virtanen, tenor · Finnish RSO · Sakari Oramo, conductor (ODE 1050-2D, 2005)
- [Carmen de Sole: Contemporary Works](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1045-2.md): YL Male Voice Choir · Matti Hyökki, conductor (ODE 1045-2, 2004)
- [Einojuhani Rautavaara: The Myth of Sampo - Choral Opera in One Act](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-842-2.md): Tom Nyman, Lemminkäinen · Sauli Tiilikainen, Väinämöinen · Antti Suhonen, ilmarinen · YL Male Voice Choir · Pasi Hyökki, conductor (ODE 842-2, 1994)
- [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)
- [Riemullista joulujuhlaa: (Joyful Christmas)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-501-2.md): YL Male Voice Choir · Various orchestras and conductors (ODE 501-2, 2006)
- [Sibelius Favourites: (incl. Sibelius conducts Sibelius)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-992-2.md): Various Artists (ODE 992-2, 2001)

## Links

- [Official Website](http://www.yl.fi/)