Ulla Katajavuori (1909-2001) - Grand Lady of Kantele

A collection of 1940s-1970s recordings by Finnish kantele player Ulla Katajavuori (1909-2001). 20 of the 21 tracks appear on the compilation album “Grand Lady of Kantele". The final piece (an instrumental version of Franz Gruber’s “Stille Nacht", played on the kantele) was recorded March 24, 1949. About the artist: “Ulla Katajavuori was born in 1909 in the coastal town of Rauma and studied kantele under Paul Salminen at the Helsinki Conservatory. She always recorded as a soloist, never as an accompanist, believing that an orchestra would drown the kantele’s intimate qualities. Katajavuori played the modern, multi-stringed version of the kantele, and was considered a virtuoso and maintainer of tradition, especially during the 1960s, when the instrument was of low popularity and Martti Pokela was one of the few other recognised musicians playing the instrument". Track listing: 01. Konevitsan kirkonkellot (Churchbells of Konevitsa) (00:00), 02. Vingåker-valssi (Waltz from Vingåker) (02:14), 03. Aamulla varhain (Early in the Morning) (04:33), 04. Masurkka (Mazurka) (07:02), 05. Sua sydämestäin rakastan (I Love you from my Heart) (09:45), 06. Polska (12:24), 07. Valssisikermä (Waltz medley) (13:15), 08. Larin Paraske (14:47), 09. Rukkaset (16:45), 10. Nuoruuden ystävälle (18:50), 11. Soi vienosti murheeni soitto (play softly, tune of mourning) (22:12), 12. Valamon kirkonkellot (Churchbells of Valamo) (25:18), 13. Soi kunniaksi loujan (For the honour of the creator) (27:31), 14. Tyttärelle (For my Daughter) (30:26), 15. Munterri tanssii melkutusta (34:21), 16. Kahdella sarvella (35:01), 17. Karjalani rahvas (35:46), 18. Saeterjentens söndag (The shepherd girls’ sunday) (36:58), 19. Karjalaiset paimenet (The Karelian shepherds) (39:30), 20. Polkka (40:30), 21. Stille Nacht (Silent Night) (41:26).