Rajaton is a Finnish a cappella ensemble, founded in Helsinki in 1997. The Finnish word rajaton means "boundless", to indicate the breadth of their repertoire, from sacred classical to near Europop. Rajaton performs primarily in Finland but also tours around Europe and the rest of the world, having performed in over 25 countries.[1]
Rajaton | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Helsinki, Finland |
Genres | a cappella/Choral/Pop |
Years active | 1997–present |
Members | Essi Wuorela Aili Ikonen Soila Sariola Hannu Lepola Ahti Paunu Jussi Chydenius |
Website | http://www.rajaton.net/ |
In 2005, Rajaton album sales reached 100,000 worldwide. They have earned eight gold records in total, with Rajaton Sings ABBA reaching platinum (30,000) and Joulu reaching double platinum (60,000).[2]
Rajaton mainly performs a cappella, music written or arranged by members of the ensemble. Most lyrics are taken from poetry and from a collection of Finnish folk poetry Kanteletar.
Members
editThe six members of the group are:
- Soprano: Essi Wuorela
- Mezzo-Soprano: Aili Ikonen (was: Virpi Moskari until 2017)
- Alto: Soila Sariola
- Tenor: Hannu Lepola
- Baritone: Ahti Paunu
- Bass: Jussi Chydenius
Discography
edit- Nova (2000)
- Boundless (2001)
- Sanat (2002)
- Joulu (2003)
- Kevät (2005)
- Out of Bounds (2006)
- Rajaton sings ABBA (2006)
- Maa (2007)
- Rajaton sings Queen with Lahti Symphony Orchestra (2008)
- Best of Rajaton 1999-2009 (2009)
- Tarinoita (2010)
- Jouluyö (2011)
- Suomen Lasten Lauluja (2012)
- Salaisuus (2016)
- Tuhansien Laulujen Maa (2017)
- Ja niin on taasen joulu (2019)
References
edit- ^ Mike Bell. 'Finnish a cappella act Rajaton still soaring after two decades', in The Scene, 19 April, 2017
- ^ Rajaton Sings ABBA at AllMusic
External links
edit- official Rajaton website
- The Recorded A Cappella Review Board—reviews of Rajaton CDs
- Rajaton Fan Club—free forum for Rajaton discussion and information