Tradition with passion

Four musicians, twelve instruments, eight sung languages.

These are the elements that make up Bergå Folk Project, a new group formed by professional folk musicians. They perform the folk song arrangements by the one Luciano Berio well known in the
field of classical music. The group seeks out to bring the folk songs that inspired Berio back to their roots with new, innovative arrangements. The group’s international repertoire sung in eight languages and played with twelve different instruments presents the audience a variety of world-
and folk music styles along with powerful performances and awe-inspiring artistry!

Bergå Folk Project consists of Aili Järvelä, Iida Savolainen, Esko Grundström and Topi Korhonen.

Bergå Folk Project will release their debut album in 2021.

BIO

BACKROUND INFORMATION

Bergå Folk Project came into being with a peculiar gig offer by Aleksi Malmberg, the intendant of
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, who commissioned a back-to-the-roots rendition of Italian
contemporary composer Luciano Berio’s folk song suite. The suite in question is known to many
connoisseurs and performers of contemporary music, but was unfamiliar to the group put
together to face the challenge. Thus the arrengement process began with great enthusiasm and
curiousity, even with a tinge of fear.

The arrengements were premiered by Bergå Folk Project at the Encounters Club of Helsinki
Philharmonic Orchestra in September of 2019. After a succesful debut and with an enthusiastic
reception by the audience the group decided to continue their journey all the way to the studio
and to the stages.

The repertoire of Bergå Folk Project consists of folk songs from Azerbaidžan, Armenia, Italy, the
United States and France. In addition to the the languages of the countries mentioned before
there are songs in Occitan, Swedish and Finnish. All of the songs except for two are traditional and arranged by the group.

The memebers of BFP have been active participants of many different productions and groups of
different genres. Along with their own solo projects they perform with acts such as: ENKEL, Lastenmusiikkiorkesteri Ammuu, Mutaveijarit, Ilkka Arola Sound Tagine, Matti Johannes Koivu & Uskomaton Folktrio, UTU, Vesala-Järvelä-Rahmel, and the improvisation theater group Stella Polaris.

Photo: Antti Kokkola

BERGÅ FOLK PROJECT

Founded in:

2019

Genre:

Folk music, world music

Origin:

Finland / Helsinki / Loviisa

Band members:
Aili Järvelä - vocals, violin, pump organ
Esko Grundström - double bass, accordion, kantele, vocals
Iida Savolainen - viola, vocals, bowed lyre, violin
Topi Korhonen - guitar, mandolin, pump organ, trumpet, vocals

Listening material:
So far for private use only, please e-mail Aili to get the link!

MUSIC

Nearly there!

Our debut album is almost ready.

Here we have our first single, delightful Malorous Qu'o Uno Fenno, released in December 17, 2020!

Hope you enjoy it!

The whole album will be released in 2021, stay safe and tuned!