Since the millennium Philomela has become one of the most highly regarded choirs in Finland. Marjukka Riihimäki has acted as the choir´s conductor since it was established.

Philomela is one of the most original choirs in Finland. It is a group of 40 unprejudiced, music-loving women who together form a graceful, polyphonic musical instrument. The choir performances are intensive and surprising experiences which combine theatrical elements to music. Philomela’s practises are held in Helsinki but the choir gives several conserts per year all over Finland as well as abroad. Musical profile of Philomela composes of temporary scandinavian choir music with flavours of world music, especially Finnish folk music.

PHILOMELA SINGS IN HELSINKI MUSIC CENTRE ON THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY March 8, 2012

PHILOMELA IN AFRICA, APRIL 19-30, 2011

Philomela visited Africa and had workshops and concerts together with local singers. A group of 16 Philomela singers visited Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe during April 19-30.

Philomela’s main concert was conducted by Marjukka Riihimäki in Zimbabwe at HIFA festival (Harare International Festival of the Arts). Before that Philomela prepared concert programs in Nairobi with Kenya Chamber Choir and in Lusaka with 30-40 singers from various Zambian groups.

PHILOMELA IN CHINA, AUGUST 7-14, 2010

Philomela performed in Finland’s Kirnu Pavilion  and at the Euro Stage at the Shanghai World Expo August 9th and 10th. The program in Shanghai included a workshop with the Shanghai Women Entrepreneurs Choir. From Shanghai we moved on to Beijing, to the NCPA Choir Festival. Philomela’s performance at the festival was on 12.8 at the magnificient National Centre for Performing Arts, after which the choir appeared live on local Luangping TV on 13.8.

More gigs in the Concert Calendar!

March 8, 2012 “From Music Centre to the women of the world” – charity concert with Philomela, Pekka Kuusisto & Paula Vesala and Soila Sariola
March 8 at 7 PM, Helsinki Music Centre.

2011

Oct 29, 2011 National Council of Women of Finland, 100th Anniversary
at 13.30-17.00 Finlandia Hall. Tickets 15 € for members, 20 € for non-members.  Tickets from here.

Nov 5-13 Philomela Concert tour to China Hanghzhou World Leisure Expo

Nov 7th, 10:00 am: White Horse Lake Thematic Conventiona (indoors);
Nov 8th, 10:00 am: Leisure Stage (outdoors);
Nov 9th, 13:00 pm: Leisure Stage (outdoors);
Nov 10th, 10:00 am: Leisure Stage (outdoors).

Nov 14, 2011 Charity Concert for Diabetes work
at 7 PM, Finlandia Hall. With Vesa-Matti Loiri, Paula Koivuniemi, Vuokko Hovatta, Samuli Edelmann, Tuure Kilpeläinen & Kaihon Karavaani and Philomela.  Tickets 20-35 euros, Lippupalvelu or Menolippu. Concert is part of Plus10 campaign and organized by Novo Nordisk Farma Oy.

Dec 9, 2011 Philomela’s Christmas Concert: Silence on Snow
at 6 PM, Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki. Tickets 15 €, S-Etulippu 13 €, Lippupiste.

Dec 10, 2011 Philomela’s Christmas Concert: Silence on Snow
at 6 PM, Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki. Tickets 15 €, S-Etulippu 13 €, Lippupiste.

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2010

Feb 5th,  Gustav Mahler: Symphony n:o 3

Concert at the Finlandia Hall at 7 pm

The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (FRSO)/ Sakari Oramo
Jane Irwin, mezzosoprano
Philomela
Cantores Minores

Tickets  20 / 16 / 12 / 6,50 €  at Lippupiste

Listen to the concert at YLE Aeena!

Feb 14th, Iskelmä Gaala 2010

Philomela performs with Lauri Tähkä at Tampere-talo, 7 pm

Tickets 40 €  at Lippupiste

Feb 28th, Concert in Kuopio

“Yhteisvastuukonsertti” at the Kuopio Cathedral, 6 pm

Programme 10 € from the door

April 7th, Philomela Grand Parkissa!

Philomela goes pop at the restaurant Grand Park, Piispankatu 28, Porvoo. The concert starts at 7 pm.

Tickets 12/10 € from konsertit(at)philomela.fi or at the door.

May 14-16th,  Armless Maiden at The Vaasa Choir Festival

Performances at the old Bank of Finland building (Kirkkopuistikko 22)

Fri, May 14th: 21-22.15 and 23-00.15
Sat, May 15th: 21-22.15 and 23-00.15
Sun, May 16th:  12-13.15

Tickets 25/15 e

Read more about The Armless

See Philomela in the final concert of the festival on Sunday, May 16th at 14-16.15

Tickets 20/15 e

Vaasa Choir Festival 2010

Philomela and  Anna-Mari Kähärä perform at  Apollo Live Club

July 8th-11th,  Concerts in Kajaani, Sana & Sävel

Thu, July 8th at restaurant Kajanus, 9 pm
Tickets 15 e

Sat, July 10th “Philomela goes Kähärä”
Philomela and  Anna-Mari Kähärä in the Paltaniemi church, 9.45 pm
Programme 20 €

August 7th-14th Philomela in China

Performances at Shanghai World Expo on August 9th-10th

August 12th, Concert in Beijing, NCPA Chorus Festival
NCPA Concert Hall, Beijing

August 13th Philomela live on Luangping TV

August 19th ART GOES KAPAKKA – TOUR OF CHOIRS in Helsinki

7 pm Marjukka leads the giant choir of hundreds of singers at the Senate Square

8 pm Philomela performs at restaurant Grand Casino (Mikonkatu 19)

9 pm Philomela performs at restaurant Kolme Seppää (Mannerheimintie 14)

Tickets:	Hear Philomela in MySpace

During the period of 1990-2007 Philomela has recorded seven CDs and released one music video. The records can be bought in Alba net shop and Amazon. They are also available in the concerts and in all well-equipped music stores throughout the country.

Joulun sydänyö (Christmas Midnight), 2007 (Alba Records)
Philomela interprets the lucidity, brightness and silence of the Finnish Christmas. The record contains both traditional Christmas carols and new compositions by Mia Makaroff, Päivi Ojanperä, Aija Puurtinen and Sanna Kurki-Suonio. Alba net shop.

Mieli (The Mind), 2004 (Alba Records)
Feelings and atmospheres interpreted in the compositions of Sanna Kurki-Suonio, Anna-Mari Kähärä, Tellu Turkka and Toni Edelmann, nearly all of them composedor arranged specially for Philomela. Buy the record from Alba net shop or Amazon.

Tuulen nostatus (Raising of Wind), 2001
A single made in honor of the Grand Prix of Tampere Vocal Music Festival, containing fresh and modern music by such composers as Sanna Kurki-Suonio, Anna-Mari Kähärä, Mari Kaasinen and Toni Edelmann. Sold out.

Rakkaus repii jäsenet (Love Tears the Limbs), 1999
The record won the prize ”The Choral Record of the Year” in 1999 and includes the Sapfo-series by Markku Kilpiö and the highly popular composition The Age of Wolf by Tellu Virkkala.  Sold out.

Philomela in Dreams, 1997
The record contains classics of choral music, such as The Lorca-Series by Eino-Juhani Rautavaara and Dreams by Erik Bergman. For sale at Alba Records net shop and Amazon.

Sydämeni joulu (The Christmas of My Heart), 1992
Modern and traditional Christmas carols. The record is unfortunately sold out. Some of the songs can be found in the CD collection ”Christmas Carols from
Around the World” (Naxos).

Satakieli (The Nightingale), 1990

Philomela’s first record contains Finnish poetry in tunes. Sold out.

Marjukka has conducted Philomela ever since it was established. In her personal, unique way she has led Philomela towards new, exciting adventures. Her work is marked with an overpowering passion for music.

More feeling! Still more! According to Marjukka the singer has to go in for music  fully and completely. In her work, which she does with great warmth and ardour, she is uncompromising. Her enthusiasm is contagious and, one can say without exaggeration that it may affect hundreds of people round her, which in turn willreally lead to new adventures. Here are some examples: Marjukka works in co-operation with choreographer Päivi Järvinen and the choir may sing lying on their backs in a Norwegian gothic church or standing on a ladder at the height of three metres wearing high-heeled shoes and singing high tunes or they may be standing in unconventional arrangements interpreting the atmosphere with their looks and gestures. The choir is known for its experimental choreographies and their ability to transform their style to suit each individual occasion.

In addition to Philomela, Marjukka also conducts the chamber choir Grex Musicus, several Sibelius High School choirs and the female choir of Klemetti Institute, and works regularly in Sibelius High School as a music teacher. Her choirs have gained reputation in numerous domestic and foreign competitions. Marjukka is, for example, the only choir conductor who has won twice the Grand Prix of Tampere Vocal Music Festival, in 2001 with Philomela and in 2005 with Grex Musicus. She is a very popular lecturer in international choir festivals and has been a member of  the jury in several choral and composition competitions.

In 2009 the President of the Republic of Finland, Tarja Halonen, confered a title of “Musiikkineuvos” (Councellor of Music) on Marjukka Riihimäki. In 2006 Marjukka Riihimäki was elected the Choir Conductor of the Year  She has also been awarded the Klemetti prize and prize of Finnish Cultural Fund in 1994, and the Kekri reward of Kalevala Association in 2005

President
Suvi Krogerus, tel. +35840-522 7283
Email: suvi.krogerus(at)philomela.fi

Ticket booking
Email: konsertit(at)philomela.fi

Internet
Philomela in Facebook
Philomela in MySpace
Armless Maiden

Orhestras, choirs, artists

Radio Symphony Orchestra
Helsinki City Orchestra
Lapland Chamber Orchestra
Los Cumancheros, Cuba
Cantus, Norway
Ensemble Tbilisi, Georgia
Esoterics, Seattle
Hodie, Belgium
Zambian Vocal Collection, Zambia
Florakören, Turku
Laulujoutsenet, Nurmijärvi
Male Choir Laulajat, Tampere
Male Choir Jussit
KYN, Helsinki
Lyran, Helsinki
The Choir of Polytechnic Institute, Espoo
Toni Edelmann, composer
Mia Makaroff,composer
Virpi Eroma, composer
Saima Hyökki, composer
Päivi Järvinen, choreographer, director
Karoliina Kantelinen, composer
Aija Puurtinen, composer
Jarkko Riihimäki, composer
Tellu Turkka, composer

Festivals (as an invited quest)
Polyfollia, France
Festival Vancouver, Canada
Landsfestival for kor, Norway
7th World Symposium on Choral Music, Japan
Luosto Classic, Luosto
Vaasa Choir Festival
Tampere Vocal Music Festival
Kirkko soikoon (Let the Church Ring), Helsinki
Kuoro-Espoo, Espoo
Taipei International Choral Festival, Taiwan

Financers and sponsors
ESEK
LUSES
Suomen kulttuurirahasto (The Cultural Fund of Finland)
Foreign office
Kalevala Koru (Kalevala Jewellery)
Teosto
Taiteen keskustoimikunta (The Cetral Committee of Art)
Suomalais-norjalainen kulttuurirahasto (The Finnish-Norwegian Cultural Fund)

Philomela’s performances are intensive, surprising, energetic and touching. The group  carries out different kinds of productions and after the milennium it has secured its place in the area of musical theatre and performative art. This is reflected in Philomela’s extensive repertoire, which is performed as thematic concert unities as well as theatrical presentations characterized by the choir’s original and intensive manner of combining sound and movement.Philomela’s concerts and musical theatre shows have been performed in various kinds of occasions and environments.

Kädetön neito (Armless Maiden)
The biggest ever production in the history of Philomela. Armeless Maiden is a story of a girl whose life is tormented by a pact with the Devil, made a long time ago. The  Devil will take what is due to him, even armless! The work illustrates the battle between light and darkness, escape, discovery, torture and happiness. The adventurous journey takes the listener from the greyness of everyday to the shining world of fairy tale and the domain of black horror. The work is composed by Tellu Turkka and directed by Päivi Järvinen. Duration one hour. Read about the work on its home page.

Suden Aika (The Age of Wolf)
The Age of Wolf, which is based on the national epic of Kalevala, has become the choir’s calling card. The work is a journey into a woman’s inner world and the discovery of her inner self. It is a story of a young woman’s mistakes and the price she pays for them. The work is composed by Tellu Virkkala (now Turkka) and directed by Päivi Järvinen. It is an extremely intimate, emotionally charged, touching performance for 30-120 persons. It is performed in a room with an even floor and without a fixed auditorium.

Enkelit (Angels)

A touching story of a woman who loses her child, based on folk songs and the epic of Kalevala. With its music and choreography the work takes the listener deep into the world of sorrow and back. It is composed by Tellu Virkkala (now Turkka) and directed by Päivi Järvinen. The performance takes place in a space that can be made totally dark, and it lasts approximately 20 minutes.

Minne kauneus katosi (Where did beauty go?)
A work about aging and narrow beauty ideals. Composed by Tellu Turkka and directed by Päivi Järvinen. Duration 15 minutes.

Rakkaus repii jäsenet (Love Tears the Limbs)
A sensitive and simultaneously aggressive modern work. Duration 15 Minutes.

Sydämeni joululaulut (The Christmas Carols of my Heart)
A touching concert full of the peace of Christmas.

Special repertoire
Philomela is a popular group in the occasions arranged by different kinds of organisations and enterprises as well as by individual persons. The program is planned to suit the occasion and the wishes of the organizer. We also perform in smaller groups.

2011

Choir of the Year Concert in Turku, Finland

African tour (Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe)

Organ Night and Aria Festival, Espoo, Finland

‘Philomela Light’ Concert Tour in Finland

2010

Concert tour in China (Shanghai, Beijing, Luanping)

The Choir of the Year Nomination by the Finnish Female Choir Association

2009

Hidas Requiem with the orchestra of the Finnish Defence Forces and Helsinki Academic male Choir

Armless Maiden at The Tampere Vocal Music Festival

Taipei International Choral Festival, Taiwan

Holst’s Planets with Helsinki Symphony Orchestra

The Best Choir In Finland -competition on TV, the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE), Channel 2

Let The Peoples Sing final, EBU, Oslo, Norway

2008

A tour in Zambia supported by Ministry for Foreign affairs of Finland

2007

Nomination for Nordic Council’s Music Prize

Tour to Seattle, USA and Vancouver Festival, Canada

2006

Tour to Trondheim, Norway with female choir Cantus

Tour to Lapland, Luosto Classic

Polyfollia Festival in St-Lo, France

Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream with Radio Symphony Orchestra

Ravel’s Daphnis & Chloe with Polytech Choir and Radio Symphony Orchestra

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony together with Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Polytech Choir

2005

Debussy’s Sirenes and Holst’s Planets with Helsinki Symphony Orchestra

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony together with Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Polytech Choir

Two tours in Finland

Kirkko Soikoon Festival, Helsinki and Via Crucis

Tour in Japan (World Choral Symposium in Kyoto & Expo2005), tour in Belgium

2004

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony together with Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Polytech Choir Kirkko soikoon Festival

Tour in Ireland, tour in Germany, 20th Anniversary Concerts in Helsinki

2003

Concert at The Tampere Vocal Music Festival

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony together with Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Polytech Choir

Tour to Cuba

2002

Raising of the Wind music video

Unicef concert

Tour in Japan

ISME conference in Bergen, Norway

Spanish Concert tour and Tolosa choir competition (Third prize in equal voices Polyphonic and Folkloristic categories)

Enescun Oedipe’s concert version with Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Polytech Choir

2001

Three gold stamps and The Grand Prix at The Tampere Vocal Music Festival

2000

15-Year Anniversary Tour in Finland

The Female Choir of the Year

1999

Brazil-Argentina tour

Two gold stamps at Tampere Vocal Music Festival

The Choral Recording of the Year: Rakkaus repii jäsenet

1998

The Sound of Music at Helsinki City Theatre

A weekend-workshop plus a recording with Tamia Valmont in Paris

1997

Tour in Florida, USA

1996

First prize at Finnish Female Choir Association’s Choir Festival in Kokkola

1995

Two golden stamps at The Tampere Vocal Music Festival

1994

10-Year Anniversary Concert First prizes in two categories (folksongs and adult choirs) at the international choir competition in Powell River, Canada

1991

Amateur Music Award by the Finnish Broadcasting Corporation (YLE)

The Choir of the Year award by the Finnish Female Choir Association

1989

First prize at the international choir contest in Verona, Italy and Budapest, Hungary

1987

Best female choir at the national music festival in Oulu

1986

International Choir Festival in Cantonigròs, Spain

1985

One golden stamp at The Tampere Vocal Music Festival

1984

Philomela was born