I went to a fabulous concert last night. Two families- a father and his sixteen year old son, and a father and his fourteen year old daughter, shipped over from Karelia in Russia and Finland to perform at a local university.
Ever since I read about the Kalevala and my parents gave me a copy of the translated texts, I've been really interested in that area and their music and history. My music teacher, whom I am quite good friends with, once participated in a program that resulted in a handmade kantele; she showed me the instrument and it's a fascinating thing.

The concert consisted mostly of folk music and traditional tunes, sung in Finnish and Russian dialects...the two children played the fiddle really well, but everyone played at least three instruments. It was really great music- one thing about living in America is we don't have as much traditional music as other countries. In a sense we have more, because depending on the family heritage there is music from many countries, but for families like mine that haven't kept the music from our past there is much digging to be done before good folk music can be found.

Anyway, I know we have a lot of different countries and cultures represented here. Maybe people could describe the kinds of music found in their countries, or even music in other countries that they are knowledgeable about.

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I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

Swedish folk music is dominated by fiddles. Songs in minor is often common and when vocals are featured it's often very haunting and melancholic.

I have a great collection of folk music on my computer but sadly I am not at home I'll be sure to post some once I do get home though!

I found one a nice one on the Internet:
http://www.knopfler.net/mp3/koppangen.mp3
it's very slow though - Swedish folk music can be extremely fast as well, very much like Irish folk music and Riverdance.

Example of melancholic vocals:
http://www.anacreon.de/musik/bellman/vaggvisan-ex.mp3

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.*+I'VE MET ANTIGONE, MONTANABOHEMIAN, RAIVYNN PHOENIX, BERIADANWEN & PIRATEOFTHERINGS+*.

(¯`•¸·´¯`·._.·[TRUE VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE]·._.·´¯`·¸•´¯)

I'll have to check out those links when I have time Eru. I love the fiddle so much! I guess I don't listen to that much international folk music (besides The Cheiftains) but I listen to quite a bit of american folk, such as Sufjan Stevens. Wooot!

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"...that kind of music in general turns my stomach. It's nice that they do have fans, though." -Nienor

Yeah, the minor/melancholy vocals were one thing that really appealed to me at this concert- it was quite similar to what you described. I'd really, really like to find some music- I might not be able to pronounce it, but I could teach myself- to sing that comes from Scandinavian folk music. It's fabulous stuff.

_________________
I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

Have you heard the "Levan Polkka" (or "Leva's Polka") by Loituma, Nienor? They're a Finnish vocal quartet whose lyrics are from the Kalevala. Levan Polkka is extremely catchy and fun.

You can listen to the studio recording here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3mIVTalnZA

And watch them perform it live here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjvVBCNcL_A

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.*+I'VE MET ANTIGONE, MONTANABOHEMIAN, RAIVYNN PHOENIX, BERIADANWEN & PIRATEOFTHERINGS+*.

(¯`•¸·´¯`·._.·[TRUE VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE]·._.·´¯`·¸•´¯)

Finally got to listen to the links you posted, and I really like them, Child of Odinn! The melancholy vocals are really nice- I have got to find some sheet music for something like that.
And I love the Levan Pollka! It's really similar to the stuff I heard at the concert. Why oh why was I born in America.

_________________
I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

LoL Nien, you can go back to calling me Eru if you want

Anywho, I'm really glad you liked them. I shall definitely post more and better ones when I get home to la Suede (lol I have so many things to upload for you now, with the Narnia video too I mean).

Sheet music you say?

Maybe this will be of interest, or this?

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.*+I'VE MET ANTIGONE, MONTANABOHEMIAN, RAIVYNN PHOENIX, BERIADANWEN & PIRATEOFTHERINGS+*.

(¯`•¸·´¯`·._.·[TRUE VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE]·._.·´¯`·¸•´¯)

Oh! Those are fabulous! Now all I need is the ability to play violin. I actually took it for a year, but had to stop.
Yeah, you do have a lot to upload now. If there's anything you want in return, let me know! *grin*

We do have some great folk songs here in America, and I suppose the fact that we have people from all nations makes them interesting. I'll have to see if I can find any online.

_________________
I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

Even if the notes are for violin I think they can be used for piano, flute or any other types of instruments.

Oh do post some! I'd love to hear it I also love Native American folk music (I love anything that deals with the Native American culture period! lol)

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.*+I'VE MET ANTIGONE, MONTANABOHEMIAN, RAIVYNN PHOENIX, BERIADANWEN & PIRATEOFTHERINGS+*.

(¯`•¸·´¯`·._.·[TRUE VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE]·._.·´¯`·¸•´¯)

I love Scandinavian music. Although, I haven't listened to a lot of Finnish music, it sounds amazing. I listen to some Norwegian folk--it's sort of like what Eru described--a lot of fiddle, but there are other instruments. I listen to Dalakopa, they are a Norwegian folk group. Very cool stuff. I love Scandinavian things, it is a part of my heritage.

Mine too, Vikingmaiden- perhaps the actual blood is only a small percentage, but I cling to that dearly. My Dad has Norwegian heritage, and on my mom's side, there may have been Danes a very long time ago. I've been considering looking into Scandinavian reenactment a bit...I don't know how much there is to be had in the US, however. I'm doing American French and Indian wars, but am drawn to other countries.

I'll try to ask my Mom (an enthusiastic piano teacher) about folk music tonight! I know we have some interesting stuff here.

_________________
I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

I love folkmusic (except for turbofolk, I hate that haha)

Anyone got any downloadage links? -sheepish grin-

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<center>[font=Times New Roman]<img src="http://tinyurl.com/63ongu"><br><br>From sorrow & pain I find my strength ... the more pain I feel, the more I see /// July the 4th 2008, first day of my life...<br><br>I met Eru on September 5th 2006 ♥ (and April 15th 2008!)<br><br>Censorship Causes Blindness</center>[/font]

Yay for Scandinavian heritage We rock

Swedish and Norwegian folk music is very, very similar I would say. Norway has their typical Hardanger fiddle (Hardingfele), Sweden has the Key fiddle (Nyckelharpa) [which you hold like a guitar] but the melodies are very similar. Various versions of flutes is also very typical and common for Scandinavian folk music!

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.*+I'VE MET ANTIGONE, MONTANABOHEMIAN, RAIVYNN PHOENIX, BERIADANWEN & PIRATEOFTHERINGS+*.

(¯`•¸·´¯`·._.·[TRUE VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE]·._.·´¯`·¸•´¯)

I apologize for the double post but I just found one of my favorite pieces of Swedish folk music online;

"Brudmarsch Till Per Och Anna" [Bridal/Wedding March For Per And Anna]
http://www.derner.com/per_och_anna/per_och_anna-192.mp3

A very happy piece of music. Lots of fiddles

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.*+I'VE MET ANTIGONE, MONTANABOHEMIAN, RAIVYNN PHOENIX, BERIADANWEN & PIRATEOFTHERINGS+*.

(¯`•¸·´¯`·._.·[TRUE VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE]·._.·´¯`·¸•´¯)

Eh, I'm sorry, Eru- I've got some 'stuff' going on that's sapping all my energy and keeping me from posting folk music. Remind me when I get back into the swing of things and I really will try.

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I am a Shieldmaiden for Christ!

I was Nienor before Nienor was cool. *nods coolly*
Kudos to Kitoky for the fabulous signature set, and art credit to engelszorn.
Who wants to join me in bringing back the lady?

LoL that's totally fine! Take yer time, it'll be worth the wait

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.*+I'VE MET ANTIGONE, MONTANABOHEMIAN, RAIVYNN PHOENIX, BERIADANWEN & PIRATEOFTHERINGS+*.

(¯`•¸·´¯`·._.·[TRUE VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE]·._.·´¯`·¸•´¯)