Description
In many cultures across the globe, Mother Earth (Maaemo in Finnish) is a concept of a spirit entity that controls the earth and all living things. In this work, the kantele is divided into two sections: the wound bass strings representing the sub-terrestrial (alinen) world, and the steel strings in the treble range representing everything above the ground (ylinen). There is a primitive force within the earth that strives upward and represents itself as a growth in nature, varying according to seasons. During the harsh polar winter, the growth of plants slows down and stops altogether, to start again in the spring. However, during the hibernation, the power of the roots and the earth remains alive in the depths. The subterranean Alinen is a mythical place where a mirror-image world or the home of the dead is said to exist. Also, according to the Finnish folk tales, you can hear whispers of the goblins somewhere deep underground. TR, 2024
Instrumentation
kantele
Category
Works for Solo Instrument
Premiere
First performance on September 18, 2024, in Tampere, Finland by Eva Alkula
Commisioned by / dedications
Dedicated to Eva Alkula
PDF for promotional use
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