Martti Pokela
Martti Eliel Pokela (23 January 1924 – 23 August 2007) was a Finnish folk musician and composer.[1] Pokela was an expert with the kantele, Finland's national musical instrument.[1][2][3][4]
Martti Pokela | |
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Martti with his wife Marjatta in 1965 | |
Born | Martti Eliel Pokela 23 January 1924 |
Died | 23 August 2007 83) | (aged
Occupation | Musician, educator |
Known for | Music for kantele |
Life and career
Pokela and his wife, Marjatta Pokela, were widely credited with ushering in a revival in interest in Finnish folk music beginning in the 1950s.[1][5] Their daughter, Eveliina Pokela, began performing with them in the 1960s.[1][2]
Pokela merged traditional Finnish folk music with contemporary sounds. The family's albums have also been released outside of Finland.[1]
Pokela taught kantele playing at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and Kuopio until 1987.[1] He was the founder of the academy's folk music department, where he was named a full professor in 1980.[1][2]
He is buried in the Hietaniemi Cemetery in Helsinki.[6]
- Performing with Marjatta at Seurasaari in 1959
- Together with Marjatta and Eveliina performing in a television studio, on the show Nylands Hörna in 1966
- Martti performing with his wife Martta for an audience at the courtyard of the National Museum of Finland in 1966
- Their daughter Eveliina having joined them
- Family grave at Hietaniemi Cemetery
Albums
- Keskiyön Auringon Lauluja (1969)
- Best of Kantele (1995)
- Sonata For Kantele (1996)
- Snow Kantele (1998)
- "Tuulikumpu" (2001)
- Improsette by Martti Pokela (2005)
See also
References
- "Finland's Kantele Master Martti Pokela Dies". YLE. 2007-08-23. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
- Jalkanen, Pekka (27 August 2007). "Pokela, Martti (1924 - 2007)". Kansallisbiografia. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- "Kansanmuusikko Martti Pokela on kuollut". Ilta-Sanomat. 23 August 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- Lång, Markus; Väänänen, Timo. "Martti Pokelan konserttikantelesävellyksistä". Markus Lång. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- Juvonen, Päivi. "Marjatta Pokela". Pomus. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
- "Hietaniemen hautausmaa – merkittäviä vainajia" (PDF). Helsingin seurakuntayhtymä. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
External links
- YLE News: "Finland's Kantele Master Martti Pokela Dies"
- Finnish Music Centre: "Martti Pokela dies at 83"