Martti Pokela

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Martti Eliel Pokela (b. January 23, 1924 - died August 23, 2007) was a Finnish folk musician and composer. [1] Pokela was an expert with the kantele, Finland's national musical instrument.[1]

Martti Pokela was born in Haapavesi, Finland on January 23, 1924. He and his wife, Marjatta Pokela, were widely credited with ushering in a revival in interest in Finnish folk music beginning in the 1950s.[1] Their daughter, Eveliina Pokela, began performing with them in the 1960s.[1]

Martti merged traditional Finnish folk music with contemporary sounds. He and his family's albums have been released outside of Finland.[1]

Pokela taught the kantele at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and Kuopio until his departure in 1987.[1] He was the founder of the academy's folk music department, where he was named a full professor in 1980.[1]

Martti Pokela died on August 23, 2007, in Helsinki, Finland at the age of 83.[1]

Contents

[edit] Albums

  • Best of Kantele (1995)
  • Sonata For Kantele (1996)
  • Snow Kantele (1998)
  • Improsette by Martti Pokela (2005)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Finland's Kantele Master Martti Pokela Dies", YLE, 2007-08-23. Retrieved on 2007-09-18. 
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