Helsinki Kollektiivi 1983 (Finnish Avantgarde or RIO)

I'll quickly interrupt the scheduled posts for this surprise entry of advanced but highly interesting music.  This is a gift from our long lost Finnish friend, now found, like the prodigal son.  To the jealousy of any others we must celebrate his return for "he was lost but now he's found..."  In his words:

I know for sure the press of this album was 168 copies (info from Volanen himself).  Toni Edelmann (b. October 25, 1945 Hamina) is a Finnish composer.

Edelmann started in 1968, church music studies at the Sibelius Academy, but switched to a school music program and graduated in 1972. After graduating, he got a music lecturer from the Theatre Academy. In the period 1977-1978 Edelmann completed post-graduate studies in East Berlin Academy of Arts. While a student, Edelmann became interested in left wing radicalist and represent a singing movement.  Edelmann composed, inter alia, theater and film music, such as "Gilgamesh", which was presented to the Helsinki City Theatre in 1975. His oeuvre also includes compositions and songs based on, for example, William Shakespeare, JRR Tolkien, Hermann Hesse, JW von Goethe, JL Runeberg, Marja -Leena Mikkola, Aale Tynni, Märta Tikkanen and Einari Vuorela texts.

Edelmann was previously married to actress Marja-Leena Kouki. Their son is actor-singer Samuli Edelmann. His current spouse is Kiti Luostarinen.  Toni Edelmann's father was cantor-organist Casimir Edelmann.

Performers on this album are Toni Edelmann and Ilkka Volanen, among others.  To me, compositions by Hannu Hakkarainen are particularly remarkable.   Note the incredibly beautiful cover painting as well.

Tracklist from discogs:

A1 Viuhkoja
Arranged By – Helsinki Kollektiivi
Composed By – Hannu Hakkarainen

A2 Musiikkia Esitettäväksi
Arranged By – Helsinki Kollektiivi
Composed By – Hannu Hakkarainen

A3 Virran Reunalla
Arranged By, Composed By – Toni Edelmann

A4 Juhlahuoneistojen Vihkiäisissä Käytetyn Juhlanauhankatkaisumusiikkia
Band – Helsinki Kollektiivi
Composed By, Arranged By – Toni Edelmann
Piano – Matti Perttula
Trumpet – Matti Riikonen

A5 Kohtaaminen
Arranged By, Composed By – Helsinki Kollektiivi

A6 ЮMOPECKA
Composed By, Arranged By – C. Maйкaпap

B1 Populus
Arranged By – Helsinki Kollektiivi
Composed By – Hannu Hakkarainen

B2 Sun Biisi
Arranged By – Helsinki Kollektiivi
Composed By – Tapio Tuominen

B3 Satakieli
Arranged By – Valtonen*, Hakkarainen*, Riikonen*, Björkenheim*, Tuominen*, Edelmann*
Composed By – Toni Edelmann

B4 Hulaluu
Arranged By, Lyrics By – Toni Edelmann
Composed By – Emile Martron
Lead Vocals – Maija Leino

Credits

Accordion – Ahti Salomaa
Artwork By – Hannu Rönkkönen
Grand Piano – Toni Edelmann
Guitar – Raoul Björkenheim
Musicians – Ari Valtonen, Hannu Hakkarainen, Matti Riikonen, Tapio Tuominen
Recorded By – Ilkka Volanen (tracks: B3), Timo Toikka (tracks: A1 to B2, B4)
Sleeve, Design – Riku Virtanen



Many thanks to him for rediscovering this lost beauty.  And many thanks to this record for returning our long lost friend too...