01	Tsihi Tsihi						02:49
	02	Primitsu						02:52
	03	Delekatka						02:52
	04	Miiloini						04:23
	05	Luomu						03:12
	06	Keiman Laulu						02:39
	07	Kiisis						04:25
	08	Papin Pakinat						02:54
	09	Kaupan Rikkoja						03:46
	10	Fanny						04:02
	11	Nuku,Nuku						03:39

Sirmakka

Sirmakka is a Finnish folk music ensemble consisting of young musicians from Raakkyla in North Karelia. It was founded in 1986 with 18 members; its present lineup includes six members. Today, Sirmakka is one of the most interesting and most popular folk music ensembles in Finland. It won second prize in the Young Ensembles Competition in Kaustinen in 1990 and was chosen to appear in a TV programme called World Music from Karelia.

The group's first album, Sirmakka, was released in 1992 and is frequently played on local and national radio.

At the Kihaus Folk Music Festival in Raakkyla in summer 1995, Sirmakka was a great hit. The Finnish Broadcasting Company recorded the group's performance in the Ethno Marathon concert.

As the band's lineup became fixed, everything fell into place. The musical style became more mature and established: a unique blend of traditional nearly-non-sense lyrics, hypnotically sung, with folk melodies combined with pop rhythms.

Their second album, Tsihi tsihi, released in the Innovator series, was produced and mostly written by Sari Kaasinen, founder and primus motor of Sirmakka. She is also known as the former leader of the now world-famous Finnish folk group Varttina.

Tsihi tsihi was well received in Finland, and the song Delekatka in particular was frequently played on radio in summer 1996.



Sari Kaasinen

Sari Kaasinen (b. 1967) has already created an internationally significant career with the Varttina and Sirmakka bands. Both were founded by her, in the early 1980s, in Raakkyla in Karelia near the eastern border of Finland; this is a region where folk music was a really big thing at that time. Sari Kaasinen was the leader of Varttina from 1983 to 1996 and continues to work with Sirmakka.

Sari Kaasinen has been involved with folk music from the word go. Her mother, Pirkko Kaasinen, was interested in folklore and passed her enthusiasm onto her children through poems, songs and children's rhymes. Sari and her sister Mari performed with the Tsupukat band from an early age, both at local venues and at distinguished occasions in Helsinki. At the age of eleven, Sari took up the kantele and decided on her future profession: a kantele teacher, a composer and a musician.





HER STORY

Sari Kaasinen (b. 1967) was born in a small Raakkyla village called Rasivaara, Northern Karelia, where she also spent her childhood and youth. Sari's talent, strong cultural roots, and decisive working have ensured reputation and success both in Finland and world wide. Today, she is well-known ambassador of Finnish folk music, productive and innovative music creator, charismatic performer as well as a popular music pedagogy.

Sari's interest in music, especially in folk music, grew in the 70's at the Rasivaara Youth Society. Tsupukat, a children's group reciting, singing and playing, flourished. Sari performed also as a solo kantele player together with Motora, a North Karelian folk dance group, and toured around Europe. Thanks to her mother Pirkko and Sari's own attraction, she sprang into folk tales, folk lyrics and music with extraordinary energy, and since early 80's Sari's listeners have learned to consider her as a musician who goes her own paths.

She has created career as a music creator and performing artist. In 1983-1996, she was the artistic director of Varttina. Since 1996 Sari continues her career as a solo artist. The newest band, Sari Kaasinen & Otawa, origins to 2001. The band performs fresh music created by Sari.

Since 1983, Sari has been teaching music in various educational institutions. These include, among others, variety of folk music courses in Raakkyla, the Joensuu and Central Karealian Music Institutes, and Central Karelian Civic Institute. Sari is also Artistic Director of Kihaus Folk Music Festival, and Managing Director of Sari Kaasinen Ltd.

Sari had her matriculation examination in 1986, and master's degree in music 1994 (Sibelius Academy, Department of Folk Music). In 2002, she prepares doctoral thesis at the Sibelius Academy.

There is no need to live in a metropolis to become a world wide musician. Sari and her success are good examples of this! In fact, the remote location and small size of Raakkyla are Sari's boundless sources of inspiration and creativity. Her artistic and professional skills range from folk music to children's music, from entertainment to research. Her music and activities have sparked and inspired people, and influenced on cultural atmosphere both in Northern Karelia and all over the country.

Sari Kaasinen is married to Heikki Kemppainen, who works as a journalist. They have three daughters (born in 1994, 1995 & 2001). Today, the family lives at Sari's birth place in Rasivaara, Raakkyla, Northern Karelia. For her children Sari wishes to pass on the same legacy she got from her parents: rich cultural traditions, quality of life, safety and close contact to the Finnish nature.

Years & Life

Artistic Career

2001- Sari Kaasinen & Otawa, Artistic Director & Musician
1991- Kihaus Folk Music Festival, Artistic Director
1984- Raakkyla Folk Music Courses, Artistic Director
1994-97 Sari Kaasinen & Sirmakka, Artistic Director
1989 Sari Kaasinen - 10 years of kantele music, Concert, guest artists Martti Pokela & Ritva Koistinen
1983-1996 Varttina, Artistic Director www.varttina.com
1974-1982 Tsupukat (reciting, singing & playing kantele)
1985 National kantele ensemble competition, 1st prize, Joensuu
1984 Diploma in solos, National Youth Art Event, Lahti
1983 Dipolma in recite, National Yout Art Event, Kajaani
1982 Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, first performance with Mari Kaasinen (sister)
1981 First composition "Polkka" for 36-string kantele
1979 Sari stars playing kantele, Ilomantsi kantele course, teacher: Irma
Lappi. Sari's first kantele (32-strings).
1974 Sari starts playing violin
1970 Sari learns to dance polka

Discography

2002 Sari Kaasinen&Otawa: Sarin Joulu ( Mipu Music )
2002 Sari Kaasinen & Otawa: Reissunainen ( Mipu Music )
2001 Sari Kaasinen & Otava-yhtye: Joko joulun alkaa saa (Mipu Music)
1998 Sari Kaasinen: Emo (Warner, Finland)
1998 Sari Kaasinen: Viisuja vintilta (Warner, Finland)
1996 Sirmakka: Tsihi, Tsihi (Finlandia Records)
1996 Varttina: Kokko (Warner / Nonesuch)
1994 Varttina: Aitara (Mipu Music)
1992 Sari ja Mari Kaasinen: Joko joulun alkaa saa (Mipu Music)
1992 Varttina: Seleniko (Sonet / PolyGram)
1992 Sirmakka: Sirmakka (Mipu Music) - Sari also as a producer
1991 Varttina: Oi Dai (Sonet / PolyGram)
1989 Varttina: Musta Lindu (Olarin Musiikki) - Sari also as a producer
1987 Varttina: 1 (indie / Mipu Music 1992) - Sari also as a producer

see www.varttina.com for recordings abroad

Sari as a guest musician

1996 Katri Helena: Vie minut (Fazer Records)
1996 Maggie Reilly: Elena (EMI)
1994 Hector Zazou: Songs from the Cold Seas (compilation) (Sony, France)
1994 Hector: Salaisuuksien talo. (EMI, Finland)
1983-1996 see Varttina, www.varttina.com

Sari as a producer

1999 Pitkajarvelaiset. Music from the comedy. (TTT Theatre, cd single, Finland)
1997 Myllarit: Eta Pravda (Mipu Music/ Finlandia Records)
1996 Sirmakka: Tsihi, Tsiihi (Warner Music)
1996 Man nappipeliks. Folk music from Raakkyla. (Mipu Music)
1994 Angelin Tytot: Giitu (Mipu Music)
1993 Music from Finno-ugric people: Rontyska-songs (Mipu Music)
1993 Reetta Jakkula (MTV-Musiikki)
1992 Sirkus: Ikavaa (Mipu Music)
1992 Angelin Tytot: Dolla (Mipu Music)

Additionally, Sari performs in various compilations produced e.g. in the Netherlands, Belgium, USA, Australia, Germany and Japan.

Compositions, Lyrics & Commissioned Works

2002

Over 300 compositions, lyrics and arrangements at the registry of Finnish Composers' Copyright Society

Suohonlaulajat, children's music play, music composed by Sari, premiere in 9.6.2002 at the Kajakka Festival, Joensuu.

Teppana Janiksen uudet seikkailut. Children's musical, music composed by Sari. North Karelia - Province of Kantele project. Premiere in 20.4.2002, Joensuu.

2000
Simpauttaja. Theatre play (original text by Heikki Turunen), Joensuu City Theatre. Music composed by Sari. Premiere in 23.9.2000.

1999
Pitkajarvelaiset. Theatre play by Jalmari Finne, The TTT-Theatre (Tampere). Music composed by Sari. Premiere in 4.2.1999.

Sarin joulu (Sari's Christmas) - 10 new Christmas songs for TV2 (Finnish Broadcasting Company)

1997-98
Viisuja vintilta (Songs from the attic) - 20 new children's songs for TV2 (Finnish Broadcasting Company)

1998
Eurovision Song Contest/ Finnish National Final. Sari Kaasinen's song "Mielessani" shared the 3rd prize.

1996
The Helsinki Festival: Evening of new political songs/ Concert. Sari's composition "Ministeri Backmanni"

1984
The National Art Event for the Youth: competition for new compositions/ traditional music (kantele), 2nd prize

1981
Ilomantsi Kantele Course, competition for new compositions, 2nd prize

TV, Video and Radio Performances, among others

2001 Tammerkosken sillalla, YLE TV2 (YLE = Finnish Broadcasting Company)
2001 Soi kantele soi (kantele teaching video)
2001 Hotelli Sointu, YLE TV1
2000 Laulava sydan: Juice Leskinen 50 v., YLE TV2
1999 Linnunradan Pianobaari, YLE TV1
1999 O Doremio, music programme for YLE TV1
1999 Sarin joulu (Sari's Christmas), YLE TV2
1999 Sininen ilta, Ajankohtainen kakkonen, YLE TV2
1998 Bumtsi Bum, MTV3
1998 Kulkija Kuosmanen ja kappale kauneinta Suomea, MTV3
1998 Tuttu juttu -show, YLE TV2
1997-98 Viisuja vintilta (Songs from the attic), YLE TV2
1995 Varttina: Yotulet (video)
1991 Varttina: Pihi neito (video)
1990-91 Folk music programme for the youth, YLE R1 (radio)
1991 Levyraati (Varttina), MTV3
1991 Varttina Irlannissa, a documentary of Varttina in Ireland, Fantasia-filmi
1990 World Music from Karelia, a documentary by Mirja Metsola, YLE TV1

Awards

2001 Luonnotar Award (Wood in Culture Association)
2001 The Outstanding Young Person, Finland (Junior Chamber of Finland)
2001 Artist of the Year (Kuopio Senior High School of Music and Dance)
2000 The KVS Award (KVS Foundation)
1997 S.A. Tervo's Kareliaani Award
1995 Regional Innovator Award (Regional Council of North Karelia)
1993 Emma Award for Varttina (The Finnish National Group of IFPI)
1993 State Prize for Merits in Music for Varttina (Arts Council of Finland)
1992 Provincial Art Award (Province of North Karelia)
1987 Varttina, Band of the Year at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival
1984 Youth Society Member of the Year in North Karelia (Finnish Youth Society)

Scholarships, among others

2002 For doctoral thesis, Finnish Cultural Foundation
2001 For artistic work, Finnish Cultural Foundation
1999 Artistic grant (1 year), Arts Council of Finland
1998 Artistic grant (6 months), Arts Council of North Karelia
1998 For artistic work, Finnish Cultural Foundation/ Regional Fund of North Karelia
1994 Artistic grant (6 months), Arts Council of Finland

Positions of Trust, among others

2001- Province of Kantele - North Karelia project/ Member of Steering Committee
2000- Finnish Cultural Foundation - the Regional Fund of North Karelia/ Board Member
1994-1997 National Council for Music, Member

Sari abroad

1999 Sari Kaasinen & her band in Brussels/ Launching of the Finnish EU Presidency
1998 Sari Kaasinen & band in Paris at the Finnish Institute of France
1997 Sari Kaasinen & Sirmakka in Petrozavodsk at kantele festival
1990-96 Varttina tours, see www.varttina.com
1989 Varttina in Austria
1989 Germany, Wuppertal Festival
1989 Varttina in Tallinn
1988 Varttina in Petrozavodsk, the Kizhi Island Festival
1988 Sari as a kantele soloist in Austria
1988 Varttina in Englad, Swaledale Festival
1987 Varttina in Turkey, Turkish TV & Radio Festival
1986 Varttina touring by train in Moscow - Kiev - Leningrad
1986 Varttina in Rattvik, Sweden. Varttina's first performance abroad.
1983-84 Sari as a kantele soloist in Germany and Bulgaria/ Motora folk dance group. Bourgas folk dance & music festival (Bulgaria).

Pedagogical Experience

1996- Lecturer in Folk Music, Central Karelia Music Institute (leave of absence until Jan 2004)
1991- Kantele Music Pedagogy, Raakkyla Folk Music Association/ camps & courses

1989 Guest Pedagogy, State Kantele Ensemble, Petrozavo
1988-91 Kantele Music Pedagogy, Music School of Central Karelia
1986-88 Kantele Music Teacher (children under 7 yrs.), Western Helsinki Music Institute
1984-92 Kantele & Folk Music Teacher, Central Karelian Civic Institute
1985-88 Kantele Music Pedagogy, North Karelia Folk Music Association, Ilomantsi kantele camps
1983-88 Kantele Music Pedagogy, Joensuu Music Institute/ Raakkyla premises
1983-90 Kantele Music Pedagogy, Municipality of Raakkyla, folk music summer camps & master courses
1989-91 Kantele Music Pedagogy, Pakila Music School (Helsinki)
1986-88 Kantele Music Pedagogy, Kantele School of Karjala House (Helsinki)
1989 Kantele Music Pedagogy, Kantele Music School (Helsinki)

Studies

2002 - Doctoral thesis, Sibelius Academy/ Department of Folk Music
1986-94 Master of Music, Sibelius Academy/ Department of Folk Music
1983-1986 Matriculation Examination, Kuopio High School of Music (today: Kuopio Senior High School of Music & Dance)

Related Works

1999-2001 Project Director in a Folk Music Development Project, Raakkyla Folk Music Association