Rajaton

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Rajaton
Left to right: Hannu Lepola, Jussi Chydenius, Ahti Paunu, Soila Sariola, Essi Wuorela, Virpi Moskari
Background information
Origin	Helsinki, Finland
Genre(s)	a cappella/Choral/Pop
Years active	1997 – Present
Website	www.rajaton.net
Members
Essi Wuorela Virpi Moskari Soila Sariola Hannu Lepola Ahti Paunu Jussi Chydenius

Rajaton is a Finnish a cappella ensemble, founded in Helsinki in 1997. The Finnish word rajaton means boundless, to indicate the breadth of their repertoire, from sacred classical to near Europop ^[1]

Rajaton performs primarily in Finland but also tours around Europe and the rest of the world. Performances in North America are rare, but Rajaton appears regularly in Canada at the Festival 500 choral event in St. John's, Newfoundland as well as at MusicFest Vancouver in Vancouver, British Columbia, and was the guest artist at the Kaleid Choral Festival in Woodstock, Ontario in 2005 and 2006.

Rajaton's fan following has grown substantially since 2002. In 2005, Rajaton album sales reached 100,000 worldwide as their album Kevät went gold.

Rajaton also includes original material in their repertoire: aside from works by composers such as Mia Makaroff, Laura Sippola and Anna-Mari Kähärä, some of their pieces are written or arranged by members of the ensemble. Many lyrics are adapted from the Kanteletar.

Soila Sariola is the alto for the group. A versatile singer, she can sing solo lines as well as back up sounds such as imitations of trumpet, guitars, and electric guitars, and does some of the arranging and composing for the group.

Sariola was born into a musical family and took violin lessons at East Helsinki Music School, but switched to the saxophone in her teenage years. She has also played the kantele, the Finnish national instrument, and the harmonium. After participating in the Tapiola Choir and a number of other choirs and vocal ensembles. Sariola joined Rajaton in 1999.

Contents 1 Members 2 Discography 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Members

The six members of the group are:

• Soprano: Essi Wuorela
• Soprano: Virpi Moskari
• Alto: Soila Sariola
• Tenor: Hannu Lepola
• Baritone: Ahti Paunu
• Bass: Jussi Chydenius

[edit] Discography

• Rajaton sings Queen with Lahti Symphony Orchestra (2008)

An English album containing enriched versions of Queen hits. Some tracks are pure a cappella Rajaton, while on others they are backed by the Lahti Symphony Orchestra.

• Maa (October 2007)

Rajaton celebrates its tenth anniversary by a new album with new songs composed to Finnish poetry, including a new a cappella arrangement of Jean Sibelius' Valse Triste.

• Rajaton sings Abba with Lahti Symphony Orchestra (2006)

An English album containing enriched versions of Abba hits. Some tracks are pure a cappella Rajaton, while on others they are backed by the Lahti Symphony Orchestra.

• Out of Bounds (2006)

Mostly-English album containing two re-releases, three new versions of previously recorded songs, English versions (but not direct translations) of three Kevät songs, and three new tracks.

• Kevät (2005)

Pop album, entirely in Finnish. This CD is more rhythmically and harmonically complex than some of their others, and proudly boasts the fact that the group does not use any instruments despite the many instrument-like sounds on the album.

• Joulu DVD (2004)

DVD of a live concert recording featuring songs from the Joulu CD, as well as some bonus features.

• Joulu (2003)

Rajaton's Christmas album, containing two CDs, and featuring many songs sung in Finnish and arranged for Rajaton.

• Sanat (2002)

Rajaton's religious album. It features music in 4 different languages, all relating to Christianity. The album consists of more mellow, flowing tracks. The word sanat means "words" in Finnish, and "heals" in Latin.

• Boundless (2001)

The first of two albums in which the majority of the songs are sung in English. The album features a more popular style of music, with a focus on lively, fun songs.

• Nova (2000)

Folk music album featuring a mix of folk styles. Their first album.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• official Rajaton website
• The Recorded A Cappella Review Board -- reviews of Rajaton CDs
• Rajaton Fan Club -- free forum for Rajaton discussion and information
• Rajaton at Last.fm