Choral Listening Series - Recording # 13
Presented by Krishan Power
Pakkanen - Soila Sariola (performed by Rajaton)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG1duDKUxLc
This Finnish song is composed by one of Rajaton’s members. Soila Sariola sings alto and is also one of their most prolific songwriters and arrangers.
I have not been able to find a proper text translation anywhere, but this piece is generally about being lost in the cold and snow, and having to journey back. Note the imagery in the opening section: the singers depict the howling wind, which lends a feeling of isolation and realism to the text.
The rhythmic groove established by the bass and baritone is essential to this piece. The bass is singing in a very percussive way, which means that his notes are accented and slightly detached, as you might hear on a percussion instrument. The baritone fills in the groove with quick, smoother notes to fill in the gaps and enliven the feel.
