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Rajaton Concert: Impressive Programme, Dull Dresses |
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By Ata Bos
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Wednesday, 16 December 2009 |
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Like countless performers around in the world, Finland´s a capella group Rajaton–the name means ‘boundless’–repackage themselves for the Christmas season with an offering of evergreens, and a spread of Christmas concerts. Ata Bos attends the Oulu event.
 From when Rajaton opened the show at Oulu’s Madetoja concert hall with the Christmas classic “Your everyday worries” (Arkihuolesi) from Leevi Madetoja, to a flamboyant version of “La Dolce Vita,” you could say the audience got what they paid for.
With well chosen lighting and a glittering event, the venue was for the most part like an intimate Christmas party for the capacity crowd.
The three-man, three-woman a capella outfit has drawn rave reviews since their formation in 1997. Founded in Helsinki, the line-up includes Essi Wuorela soprano, Virpi Moskari soprano, Soila Sariola alto, Jussi Chydenius bass, Hannu Lepola tenor, and Ahti Paunu baritone.
The sextet, somewhere in their late thirties, sung mostly traditional Finnish Christmas songs such as “On the hay of a manger of oxen” (Heinillä härkien kaukalon) or “Bring the white dove of grace” (Tuo armon valkokyyhky) and some modern tunes from their last album, Boundless Christmas (Rajaton Joulu).
Some of the songs in Sunday evening’s repertoire were originals, written by the group members themselves. Others were by some of Finland’s most respected composers, including Sibelius and Topelius.
Except for the world-famous, harmonious ‘butterfly’ song, the band sung entirely in Finnish. The singers connected with their audience via engaging lyrics and short introductions before each song.
“There also has to be substance to entertainment. The songs we sing always have to mean something to ourselves," explains Jussi Chydenius on their website.
Baritone Ahti Paunu did a warm melodic version of “The white of heaven” (Taivaan Valkea) and soprano Essi Wuorel a flamboyant rendition of La Dolce Vita, a throw-back to Anneli Saaristo’s performance of the same the Eurovision Song Contest of 1989.
The mood among audience members interviewed was mainly positive.
Outi, a day-care teacher from Oulu and a ‘big fan,’ was enthusiastic after the concert. “I go every year,” she said. “And this year was better than last year. The programme was impressive.”
Maarit, a nurse from Oulu, was also pleased with the music but complained about the clothes of the female singers. “They should have spent more thought on the dresses,” she said. “They looked a bit dull.”
The group had taken the stage in long, colourful dresses during the first part of the concert, then after the break changed into black, knee-length dresses that seemed a little sombre for the happy, cheerful lines of the program.
“Rajaton” left the stage to long, warm applause from the mostly middle-aged and older crowd.
Rajaton´s next concert takes place on 19.12.2009 in Lahti in Southern Finland.
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