Talescapes

YL Male Voice Choir
Matti Hyökki, conductor

ODE 1155-2 · CD · February 2010

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One of the world\

Track listing

7 tracks · 50:22

Listen to samples on selected tracks.

Perttu Haapanen

1 Talescapes (2007) 7:22

Tapio Tuomela

2 Kanteletar-juomalaulu (1985) 6:43

Erik Bergman

Yö, Op. 139 (1997) 11:32
3 I. Yötön yö - Vita nätter 5:38
4 II. Kaamos - Den arktiska natten 5:54

Tarik O'Regan

5 Lamentation (2005) 6:50

Mikko Heiniö

6 The Bishop's Spring Dream (2005) 7:54

Riikka Talvitie

7 Muistin pitkä jyrinä (2006) 10:01

Product details

Format: CD
Release date: February 2010
Catalogue no.: ODE 1155-2
EAN / UPC: 0761195115527
Total duration: 50:22

Performers

YL Male Voice Choir
Matti Hyökki, conductor

This CD features the Finnish YL Male Voice Choir, one of the world's most prominent male choirs. Under their long-time conductor Matti Hyökki, they perform works by great living Finnish composers, in addition to the late Erik Bergman and two-time British Composer Award winner Tarik O'Regan. All works on this recording were commissioned by and written for YL, except for The Bishop's Spring Dream, performed by the Talla Vocal Ensemble under Pasi Hyökki. The included songs reflect on life in all its shades, from exuberant joy in the Kanteletar Drinking Song to intimate sorrow in Lamentation.

Since its foundation at the Helsinki University in 1883, YL has continued to champion music written at its time, including numerous works written for the choir by Jean Sibelius and Einojuhani Rautavaara. YL's long history of acclaimed performances and award-winning recordings includes such orchestras as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Bournemouth Symphony, and Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and such conductors as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Osmo Vänskä, Leif Segerstam, and Paavo Berglund.

Booklet with liner notes in English and Finnish, and the sung texts in the original language and in English

A top-notch ensemble and quality programming can make contemporary a cappella singing a very rewarding experience.
Dan Morgan, MusicWeb-International, December 2010

„YL“ zählt heute (...) zu den traditionsreichsten und zugleich besten Männerchören weltweit. (...) Alles in allem ein ebenso buntes wie stimmiges Konzept, das wieder einmal Staunen macht ob der fantastischen Vielfalt und Qualität zeitgenössischen Musikschaffens in Finnland.
Heinz Braun, Klassik-Heute.com, 6. April 2010

Perinteitään unohtamatta YL:n laajempi miesjoukko kehittää ytimekkään soinnin. Klustereitakin sisältävässä harmoniasatsissa on syvyyttä ja nousuissa voimaa.
Jukka Isopuro, Helsingin Sanomat, 20.3.2010

Hienostunutta mieskuorojyrinää.
Timo Asikainen, YLE Radio 1, 4.2.2010

Matti Hyökki har gjort ett utomordentligt noggrant jobb med sina studentkorister och Pasi Hyökki leder inte bara ypperliga vokalsensemblen Talla i Heiniöstycket utan kastar sig även, vid behov, ut i såväl kontratenorens som sopranistans svindlande tonhöjder.
Mats Liljeroos, Hufvudstadsbladet, 4.2.2010

YL Male Voice Choir

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.

Full biography

Matti Hyökki

An unparalleled figure in Finnish choral music, Matti Hyökki led the YL Male Voice Choir as conductor from 1980 to 2010, with many international accolades along their way. He was also chorus master of the Finnish National Opera from 1992 to 1995. Having earlier completed diplomas as church organist and music teacher at the Sibelius Academy, he became in 2003 the first graduate in Finland of a doctoral degree programme in choir conducting, with YL as his instrument. Since 2007, Matti Hyökki has been Professor of Choir Conducting at the Sibelius Academy. He is a regular jury member at international choir competitions and has conducted numerous international choir workshops.

Full biography