Myths, mystical magical woods.

Väinämöinen builds his kantele from the head of a pike and plays for all people and creatures in the forest. His playing and singing is so beautiful, touching everyone, bringing them to tears. Even the forest animals become enchanted by his music. Väinämoinen himself sheds tears which fall to the ground, trickle into the lake and are transformed into blue pearls.

The healing power and magic of one single tone.

This album was made from a live session in my living room. It's one moment in life and one particular version of this Kalevala story. It's a living tradition. I'm so happy and fortunate that I had the possibility to take this musical journey together with Pekko Käppi. For me this part/runo of Kalevala goes direct to my heart.

We are singing the Swedish translation of this section of Kalevala, the Finnish national epic, by Lars and Mats Huldén from 1999.

Maria Kalaniemi