Estonia

The group was founded specificially to play Estonian spiritual folk songs in a jazzy mood. They have also adopted some traditional church songs – they use them as a solid base for their improvisations.

• Siim Aimla

The main figure of the group, a saxophone player, a conductor and an arranger, he has studied in Estonia, Finland and Iceland. Siim is back in Estonia since spring 2004 to give valuable knowledge about jazz music and its secrets to new Estonian jazz generation in G. Ots Tallinn Music School.

• Helin-Mari Arder

A beloved singer and songwriter who has her very own style. Helin-Mari captures her listeners with her sincere and sunny attitude. She sings in Estonian, but apart from this project also in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Helin-Mari has graduated from G. Ots Tallinn Music School and continues her studies in Helsinki Polytechnic in pop/jazz music pedagogy.

• Ain Agan

One of the most popular Estonian jazz guitarists Ain Agan has been active for decades. Jazz is not his only love – he plays different kinds of music in different groups and leads the jazz-pop department in Viljandi Culture Academy.

• Mihkel Mälgand

Despite his young age Mihkel is a very popular bass player whose calendar is always full. He has graduated from G. Ots Tallinn Music School and has played in many jazz bands with the very best ones, among them John Scofield and Randy Brecker. We are happy to have such a good cornerstone for our improvisations and base for the whole group.

• Siim Aimla: +372 566 071 37 siimaimla@hotmail.com

Estonia

Anu Taul introduces her and her friends activities in Mulgi dialect:

“We began to sing with Triinu already when we were little girls. I was mostly singing while swinging, just for my own pleasure. We improvised about the world and the songs flew away like spring clouds in the sky. Now, some time later, some of those have began to stay. Mulgi dialect has inspired me a lot. This is the language of my area that sounds great in poems, and old songs carry with them the stories and signs through times and eternity. We sing about everything that has been sung about for centuries. Nothing new, or ... maybe ..., but this should be something for the listener, or the one who sings along to bear in their soul.”

• Anu Taul – guitar, vocal
• Triinu Taul – bagpipes, vocal
• Cätlin Jaago – flute, Jew’s harp
• Ott Kaasik – octave mandolin, violin, guitar
• Marko Mägi – soprano saxophone
• Kristjan Priks – percussion

• Special guest, friend and brother Tõnis Taul – guitar, percussion, vocal

• Anu Taul : +372 523 94 73 ann@kultuur.edu.ee

Estonia

We invite you to take a little trip around Hiiumaa together with us and our music. We play music from different places of Hiiumaa, music from outside and also music written by ourselves.

• Astrid Böning – kannels, guitar, karmoshka (Russian diatonic accordion), vocal
• Juhan Suits – bagpipe, whistles, Jew’s harp, vocal
• Janne Tamm – nyckelharpa, bowed harp, fiddle, vocal
• Loore Kääramees – 6-string kannel, Jew’s harp, vocal
• Jaana Lepamaa – 6-string kannel, chromatic kannel, recorder, vocal
• Els Kaev – 8-string kannel, folk kannel, recorder, vocal
• Kaja Luukas – 6-string kannel, folk kannel, vocal
• Deilor Väli – 6-string kannel, guitar, vocal
• Kerli Nurs – karmoshka, 6-string kannel, vocal
• Luigi Mälk – 6-string kannel, vocal
• Anna-Liisa Luik – guitar, vocal
• Karl Johan Valk – 6-string kannel, vocal
• Martin Uuskari – guitar, vocal
• Agne Põlder – Norwegian whistle, mouthharp, vocal
• Hendrik Kannel – Jew’s harp, Irish whistle, vocal

• Astrid Böning : +372 561 500 02 asti@kultuur.edu.ee

Estonia

The ensemble Atlas that has been active in Estonia for the past couple of years concentrates on arranging Christian Caucasian, mainly Armenian folksongs and Estonian spiritual folksongs. The group has two singers, Erle and Maria. A medieval instrument rebec is played as a bass instrument by Heléna, Prita plays different flutes, Brigitta’s instrument is a widespread Caucasian string instrument canon, and Kristjan plays a drum called dhol from the same region.

Although oriental folk music plays a big role in the repertoire of Atlas, the band has not focused on providing highly authentic presentations of that particular music. It is rather that they are trying to find this common ground between Armenian and Estonian music. In their arrangements they proceed first and foremost from their own musical experiences, thus it may happen that some Caucasian folk songs get another, crisp Nordic sound.

Atlas was founded by Brigitta who studied folk music in Yerevan Conservatory for a year. For the members of the ensemble it is not, however, their first musical group, some of them began their performances in old music, the others in popmusic ensembles.

• Erle Võsa-Tangsoo – vocal
• Maria Mölder – vocal
• Prita Purre – flutes
• Brigitta Davidjants – canon (Caucasian string instrument)
• Kristjan Jõemägi – dhol, vocal
• Heléna Vooglaid – rebec, vocal

• Brigitta Davidjants: +372 564 894 43 brigitta@bahamapress.org

Estonia / Russia

This project came to life in the winter of 2004 when Vladimir Cherdakov (AveNue lyrics and music author) tried to perform a folksong together with Marina Kuvaitseva (the leader of Suprjadki). It did not take long until the other members of AveNue also tried to play and arrange folk tunes. Thus the idea to join the two ensembles – a folk choir “Suprjadki” and a rock ensemble “AveNue” – was born.

“Our creations can be characterized as soft folk-rock with less rock and more folk. Our repertoire comprises folksongs, often both in Russian and Estonian. Accordion and folk choir add to the feeling. Every song has its own story that we tell you before or after performing the song. Every song has its own character, each one of them lives their own life, we are only there to help them communicate with the listener. We only play what we like and the way how we see it. We do not limit ourselves. We think that our arrangements make those songs more accessible.”

AveNue

• Vladimir Cherdakov
• Kirill Adõlin
• Kirill Smirnov
• Ilja Lazarev

Suprjadki

• Marina Kuvaitseva
• Jana Kuvaitseva
• Galina Bõstrova
• Jevgeni Bõstrov
• Irina Vorobjova
• Annika Vorobjova
• Eva Vorobjova
• Tatjana Klimina
• Ilja Klimin
• Jelena Jurkevich
• Olga Sergejeva
• Tatjana Zubkova
• Sirje Sirnask
• Nadežda Moskaljova
• Natalja Atonen
• Valeri Atonen
• Jelena Sabinina
• Maria Izjumova
• Oksana Avarjaskina

AveNue

• Kirill Smirnov : +372 555 818 24, +372 562 153 43 kirill@avenue.ee

Suprjadki

• Marina Kuvaitseva : +372 564 747 22 suprjadki@hot.ee

Belarus

Working language is Russian.

The Belarusian musicians answered our invitation to have a workshop, “Every one of us has reached folk music their own way but the most important moving force is our genetic memory. We play this music because we cannot not play this music. That is our way to communicate and feel-sense our country and roots.” Those who come to the workshop will learn about this powerful means of communication, its initial impulses and final outcome. Introducing instruments and folk music will also leave time for learning some tunes and songs.

Estonia

Working language is Estonian.

In the format of a lecture-concert Krista and Raivo will convey their relationship to bowed harp as a rediscovered folk instrument. They introduce more well-known fiddle players from different Estonian villages at the beginning of the 20th century and explain what our contemporary fiddle players have to learn from their predecessors. A bowed harp master Raivo Sildoja talks about the joys and worries of making bowed harps and of its constructional peculiarities. Krista Sildoja who works at Estonian Literary Museum as a traditional fiddle music researcher tries to help restore what 20th century Estonian cultural life was like, about the bowed harp players and village fiddlers of the time. The collected memories of August Pulst have been of great help in this. The purpose of the workshop is to reach out to the feeling of the ties between history and contemporary life.

Estonia

Working language is Estonian.

A Bowed harp player and teacher Krista Sildoja plays different tunes with the interested that are suitable for playing on the bowed, however, were originally probably not at all composed for that instrument. The purpose is to reach, through practice, the knowledge that with the bowed harp playing technique it is possible to play a variety of tunes.

Scotland
http://www.brolum.co.uk/

Award-winning band Brolum have now been around for 5 years since they won their Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections 2000 and the Boleé de Korrigans for best new band at Brittany’s Festival Interceltique de Lorient.

This year sees the launch of their eagerly awaited second album “The Fair Face I Never Saw” which boasts the newest additions to the band, namely Kathleen Graham on vocals and clarsach, and Ali Hutton on pipes, whistles and bouzouki. The band have enjoyed playing at home this year more often than previously, and in summer also completed their first Canadian tour to sell-out audiences in Nova Scotia.

Since the release of their debut album, “7:11”, the band has grown instrumentally to include Highland pipes, bouzouki, piano and Scots vocals. The other instruments still present in the line-up include: twin fiddles; guitars; double bass; Gaelic vocals; and the bodhran of All-Ireland champion, Martin O’Neill.

All of Brolum are graduates of two of Scotland’s top institutions of music which is evident when you hear the quality of arrangement the band produces and see the expertise of each member.

For more information visit the band’s website at www.brolum.co.uk

“A powerful young band” – The Scotsman

“A class act” – Edinburgh Evening News

• Kathleen Graham – vocals/clarsach
• Alistair Hutton – pipes/whistles
• Duncan Lyall – double bass
• Martin O’Neill – bodhrán
• Innes Watson – fiddle
• Andrew Webster – vocals/guitar
• Sarah Wilson – fiddle

• +44 (0) 7740 359004 info@brolum.co.uk

Canada

Working language is English.

The roots of a fiddler, singer, composer and story teller Anne Lederman are deep in Canadian traditions and she has long been known as a musical ambassador for Canadian heritage. In the workshop she will tell the interested listeners about more interesting facts concerning her researches and teach some tunes and songs.

Estonia

“We play folk tunes that originate from different parts all over Estonia. On the whole we are an instrumental ensemble, however, every once in a while we also take up singing. We choose our pieces according to how they fascinate us to improvise.

We have been active, with short intermissions, for about eight years. We are, first and foremost, a recorder ensemble using all kinds of recorders in different lengths as well as various rhythm instruments (tabla, xylophone, drum, bells, etc). Neither can we do without a bowed instrument – psaltery.

The ensemble began playing renaissance music, this led to interest in baroque and the medieval time and by now we have discovered the charm of Estonian folk tunes. We are amazed at how well Estonian folk tunes lend themselves to improvization, and how truly meditative they are.

The ensemble Cecilia got its name after a flute and recorder studio in Nõmme, in Tallinn. Why Cecilia? The answer is simple, we believe that Musicians’ Patron Saint Cecilia keeps her eye on our errands and sends more ideas to interpret different musical styles.”

• Maire Tamm – recorders, rhythm instruments, psaltery, vocal
• Matthias Bolliger – recorders, rhythm instruments, psaltery, vocal
• Karl Viilmann – recorders, rhythm instruments, psaltery, vocal
• Marjam Tamm – recorders, rhythm instruments, psaltery, vocal
• Monika Ruusmaa – recorders, rhythm instruments, psaltery, vocal

• Marjam Tamm: +372 507 79 67 stuudiocecilia@hot.ee
• Maire Tamm: +372 539 986 27

Denmark

Working language is English.

Henrik Jansberg, a fiddler of supreme technicality, will deliver other musicians a part of this impetus and sense of rhythm that is in the heart of Danish dance music tradition.

Estonia
www.ring.ee

Hitchhiking competition “KAS TUNNED MAAD?” (Do you know the country?)

In the summer of 2001 a new undertaking was born as an influential combination of local lore knowledge, interest in environment protection and healthy lifestyle – a hitchhiking competition “Do you know the country?” organized by Tartu Students’ Nature Protection Club. Start to the hitchhikers’ mixed pairs is given at the beginning of the week in Tartu, the Finish for the contest is on Viljandi Folk Music Festival Green Stage on Viljandi Singing Ground on Thursday July 29 at 8p.m.

At the completion of the hitchhiking contest a folk music group Inju KEK – their members all belonging to Ring (the Nature Protection Club) – will perform. Inju KEK has so far won no prizes at any music contests but all members are eager to perform and determined to continue their holy mission. Inju KEK has given four successful performances and in many cases the band has not been interrupted with dance music CDs. It may happen that the hitchhikers will be invited to talk in music about what they saw and heard on their way.

Finland

The duo was “born” in January 2005 in the Faroe Islands, where the two musician accidentally met each other. Marianne and Lauri are both experienced musicians in their own ranges. Together the two musicians work with folk music. The repertoire consists basically of Finnish folk tunes but also of folk music from the other Nordic countries. The music also combines traditional folk music with musical elements from other genres, for example jazz and classical music. The program contains swinging fiddle tunes, medieval ballads, lyrical love songs etc.

Marianne’s musical roots lie in the fiddle tradition of Ostrobothnia. After studies at the Sibelius Academy Folk Music department, Marianne is engaged in different kinds of musical projects. Marianne’s speciality is the traditional music of the Swedish speaking minority in Finland, but the folk music of the Finnish speaking tradition belongs naturally to her skill as well. Ín Marianne’s own compositions and arrangements tradition is brought to present.

Lauri was born in Finland, but he lives in Sweden. He has studied classical music at Helsinki Conservatory in Finland. Lauri Antila works as a musician as well as an arranger and composer. A freelance musician, Lauri is involved in various musical projects. He plays in different ensembles and switches easily between different musical genres like classical, jazz and folk music.

Marianne Maans - fiddle, bowed harp, Esse keyed fiddle, vocal
Lauri Antila - double bass.

• Maans: +358 405 258 819 marianne.maans@netikka.fi
• Antila: +46 707 708 649, +46 864 590 91 lauri.antila@bredband.net

Estonia
http://www.rahvamuusika.ee/

Estonian ETNO 2005 joins together about one hundred young musicians all over Estonia. The camp this year welcomes to a great extent a completely new group of young musicians whose ties with folk music have so far been quite scanty. ETNO is at full power on its way to meet its its objective – to bring more and more young people to the musical roots of their country.
At the concert you will hear what they learned during the week at the camp and maybe get enough inspiration to join us next year.

• ETNO Camp teachers:

Elo Kalda, Siim Sarv, Jaanus Põlder, Krista Sildoja, Kaija-Liisa Tarand, Raivo Sildoja, Kristjan Priks, Anu Taul, Tarmo Noormaa.

• ETNO Camp students:

Elsa Levo – flute; Anna-Maria Saar – recorder, small kannel, ethno drums; Piret Saar – guitar; Jaan Tätte jun – guitar, harmonica, jembe; Minna Toots – violin; Triin Lemba – guitar, recorder, Jew’s harp, piano; Villu Orav – accordion; Asso Int – diatonic accordion; Katarina Allev – guitar; Villu Talsi – mandolin; Tiiu Uuetalu – piano, guitar; Helen Köstner – guitar; Günter Kits – piano, guitar, Jew’s harp, vocal; Lennart Kits – violin; Tanel Teder – guitar; Sigrid Laas – piano, recorder; Johannes Laas – guitar, Jew’s harp; Liis Nõupuu – Jew’s harp, small kannel; Malle Pärtel – Jew’s harp, jembe; Anne Mirjam Kraav – flute; Ella-Anu Puusepp – guitar; Liis Linn – guitar; Eddi Tomband – guitar, recorders; Agne Põlder – long pipe, harmonica, Jew’s harp; Hedi Lelumees – guitar; Heli Lelumees – guitar; Ulvi Võsa – saxophone, bagpipes; Leena Suits – small kannel, flute, long pipe, guitar, tin whistle; Kerli Repson – recorder; Triin Niidla – flute; Liisi Laaspere – guitar; Auli Kütt – violin, whistle; Brit Peensoo – guitar, Jew’s harp, whistles, vocal; Piret Pensa – small kannel, recorder, vocal; Raahel Apsalon – piano, Jew’s harp, jembe; Merike Paberits – flute, recorder; Maarja Toots – recorder; Katariin Raska – piano, saxophone, recorder, Highland pipes; Kristi Kalvik – guitar; Karoliina Kreintaal – violin; Joanna Võido – violin; Allar Lepa – harmonica, whistles, reed pipe, bongos, guitar, jembe, vocal; Tiia Vares – violin; Juss Heinsalu – small kannel, bowed kannel, karmoshka, piano; Pauliine Maasik – violin; Heli Künnapas – accordion; Eve Künnapas – violin; Karin Künnapas – accordion, recorder; Liina Gross – Jew’s harp, piano, jembe; Helen Kask – jembe, vocal; Helena Veidenbaum – violin, flute, harmonica, vocal; Karolin Kõrre – vocal; Olavi Kõrre – several instruments; Karel Kadalipp – violin, jembe; Kati Päike – piano, recorder; Rainer Koik – chromatic and small kannel, double bass; Katrin Zagovejeva – chromatic and small kannel, piano; Anna Liisa Eller – chromatic kannel, recorder; Eva Maria Eller – flute, different recorders; Heili Talbak – piano, kannel, recorder; Maria Orb – flute; Aksel Mängli – viola; Liisi Metsvahi – violin, vocal; Taavet Niller – double bass; Maarja Urb – recorder, small kannel; Madis Reimund – xylophone, jembe; Triin Kukk – violin; Marja Mõistlik – accordion, small kannel; Tambet Krinal – tin whistle, Jew’s harp; Denis Grycenko – a guest from Ukraine: flute, trumpet, vocal, piano; Helena Nagelmaa – piano, guitar, small kannel; Eeva Lindal – violin; Liina Rosenthal – piano, guitar, saxophone; Liis Lindmaa – flute; Uku Sildoja; Lembi Põlder.

• Krista Sildoja: +372 553 14 78, krista@rahvamuusika.ee

Estonian

Working language is Estonian.

Teachers of folk fiddle playing and its active promoters, Krista and Raivo Sildoja carry out a practical session with the interested musicians on traditional two-voiced playing and its stylistic details. Musical examples from different places all over Estonia originate from the LPs recorded in 1936-1938.

Estonia

Working language is Estonian.

Every year there are more and more musicians who select beautiful Estonian violin tunes for their repertoire. Thus, in this workshop you will play and learn the most beautiful of those beautiful tunes. Everyone with a fiddle is welcome.

Hungary
http://www.esztenas.hu/index.html

The Esztenás Band was formed in 2002 in Miskolc, North-East Hungary. The group plays the traditional folk music of the csango people (a Hungarian ethnic minority in Moldova and Romania).

“We perform especially the folk dances and dance music of the csango people, but we also play and sing vocal music, traditional folk songs and ballads. Our instruments are mostly traditional ones, but we also try to create some sort of new sounds with the help of modern instruments. Our first CD was released in 2004, under the title “Hétnyolcad”. In 2003 and 2004 we took part in many folk festivals in Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine and Hungary.”

• Orsolya Hegedüs – violin
• Ágnes Szabó – vocal and dancing
• Anita Gonda – drum, hit-gardon
• Máté Tóth – accordion, dancing
• Arnold Tóth – flutes
• Zoltán Juhász – flutes
• Ádám Fáy – koboz (lute)
• Tamás Labant – electric bass guitar

• +36 309 737 654 (mobile) +36 464 332 14 (phone) info@esztenas.hu

Estonia

Etnocans is this year Festival’s ethnodisco event number 1: DJ Pickney Tiger gets on the records.

Pickney Tiger is an ethnology PhD of a DJ as well as a concert promoter. Due to his specialty he has always been interested in the sounds of other nationalities, including pop, rock and other contemporary dance music styles.

At Viljandi Festival he presents a part of his collection gathered on his research trips and accumulated out of interest. Bhangra, reggae, ska, Russian and Ukrainian underground, Latin American jazz, cumbia, African hiphop, Yakut, Buryat and Tuva disco and lots and lots of other things that can be called cool and danceable.

• DJ Pickney Tiger

• Aimar Ventsel: +372 562 302 78 punkrock@haldjas.folklore.ee

Estonia
http://www.uusvanateater.ee

Vahur-Paul Põldma from the theater Uus Vana Teater (New Old Theater) is expecting you with his story to be bowed on. He listens and tells sad, funny, horrible and beautiful stories, those happening here and there, but also some new and worse as well as old and more precious stories.
The storytelling summer is going to be special because Vahur-Paul cycles around with a bunch of people and listens what the juices of land, seawater and fire-wind are talking about, and all of this will be poured out where there are listeners and the highlight of the stories will naturally be Folk Music Festival.

Threshing room accommodates about 30 people and tickets are on sale in the Museum an hour before the stories take flight. Ticket is 10EEK of which 5EEK is to support the Viljandi Museum.

• Vahur-Paul Põldma: +372 555 88 462, vahurpaul@uusvanateater.ee

Canada

Anne Lederman: Fiddler, singer, composer and storyteller, Anne is strongly rooted in several Canadian traditions and has long been known as a musical ambassador for her country’s heritage. In the early 1980s, she and longtime partner Ian Bell researched and recorded “Scatter the Ashes: Music of Old Ontario” helping to revive many earlier song and instrumental traditions from their home province. Anne went on to document the Metis fiddle traditions (mixed aboriginal and European) of her childhood home, Manitoba, in a groundbreaking 4-volume set. She has worked extensively with Celtic-based and Eastern European traditions in Canada, including French Canadian, Cape Breton and Newfoundland music as well as Klezmer and Macedonian. Both Anne and Ian also compose songs and tunes about historical and current events. Anne has recently written a play about Metis fiddling, called “Spirit of the Narrows” which premiered to rave reviews last summer and will be remounted in August 2005.

Anne Lederman - violin, mandolin, vocal
Ian Bell - guitar, mandolin, button accordion, harmonica

• Anne Lederman: +1 416 538 90 36 anne.lederman@sympatico.ca

France

Working language is English.

Multi-instrumentalists and singers Oliver and Pariselle introduce the vocal and dance heritage of their home region in South-West France.

Estonia

Helen and Sulev or Pihlakaklubi (Rowanberry Club) met by a twist of fate in a suitable environment at an Estonian Song Festival, and from the first moment on they started singing folk songs to each other. A couple of ethno music camps followed and the love towards folk music grew and grew. They started rehearsing regularly as a band in autumn 2004 and found that it filled them with immense joy. Always with a smile on their faces they value and look for the energy and spirit in the folksong arrangements as well as go forward with their own compositions created through experimenting with different rhythms and mixing elements of world music.

• Helen Saarniit – saxophones, bagpipe, vocal
• Sulev Reisberg – accordion, vocal

• Sulev Reisberg: +372 524 81 23 sulev@insener.com

Denmark
http://www.jansberg.com/

Award-winning Henrik Jansberg is one of the most talented young fiddlers on the Danish folk music scene.

A graduate of the Carl Nielsen Academy in Odense and has already played in many countries: Denmark, England, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, Norway and Japan, both solo and in various bands.

Henrik Jansberg, born into the Danish dance music tradition, has “the touch” for the rhythm and the right swing, which is the essence of this music. He has gathered inspiration for his playing from many sources as can be heard on his debut CD “Signatur”.

“The debut of an excellent young fiddle player with excellent technique and a great sense of humor. He can write a good tune and even do strong justice to traditional pieces on ”Reventlows III.“ Good accompaniment offers him plenty of support, and it’ll be interesting to hear where he goes from here. Denmark is full of fiddlers, but he offers the sense of being something special.”
Globalvillage.net

Henrik Jansberg plays with some of Denmark’s best folk musicians in Duo, Trio, Quartet or Band constellation.

• Henrik Jansberg - violin
• Rasmus Brylle - percussion
• Sophia Eriksson - viola d’amore
• Sigurd Hockings - guitar

• Henrik Jansberg: +452 620 29 08 Henrik@jansberg.com

Hungary

Working language is English.

The workshop introduces Hungarian folk instruments. You will hear about the traditions of Csango people and about the popular “dance-room” movement that began in the 1970s. The listeners will naturally learn some traditional Hungarian songs and tunes.

Ukraine

At the end of 1970s the movement of authentic singing – copying authentic singing traditions preserved among peasant singers and musicians – appeared in the intellectual underground of Ukraine.

“We are lucky to present alive impressions of student expeditions along the ways and rivers of Poltavshchina, Posillya, Polisya, with the peculiar smell of peasant dwellings, callous hands and bright faces of the singers who are the last to bring the ages old ancient wisdom of uncountable generations forth, incarnated in high poetry of folk songs…

Our understanding of traditional culture was broadened with our field trips to Ukrainian villages where we not only registered the formal moments but wanted to absorb and concentrated on the emotional, mixed up with tears and blood, joy and love, sincere pride for the original wild nature. Incredible cordiality, unaffectedness of the peasants who passed through the ordeal but retained their touching childlike wisdom, has become for us

a criterion of real. Folk art contains works of different ages and values, here you can find invaluable ancient melodies – “alive shivers” of pagan religions and refined polyphony traditions of baroque where so exquisite music forms were found that their founders have to be called the music elite of the people they belong to. It is also inspired by the harmony of kobzar epics born in the 16th century and sorrowful singing of itinerant musicians. But there are jolly satiric songs and Philistine romances of modern times, too. They bring an ironic smile on your face but create in us a sincere, melodramatic perception of the world.”

Revived from searching for the “unknown world” the “authentic singing” of academic musicians has become a thin string of hope for continuation of secular traditions.

With nostalgic sorrow for the past ages of Ukrainian folklore and with pride for belonging to this magnificent culture and happiness to be the heirs-performers of these melodies musical Kiev youth presents this project at the boundaries of ages…

• Iryna Klymenko - leading vocal
• Oleg Boot - violin, vocal
• Olena Honcharenko - tambourine, dance, vocal
• Taras Kompanichenko - kobza, bandura, “lyre” (hurdy-gurdy), dance
• Maryana Markhel - violin, dance, vocal
• Severyn Danylejko - flute, violin, drum, “basolya” (cello), dance

• Iryna Klymenko: +380 444 671 601; +380 504 406 753 klymenko_iryna@ukr.net
• Maryana Markhel: +380 504 406 854

Estonia

This is a duo that has in its own way existed for some umpteen years already. For Indrek was once Tiit’s fiddle teacher. Both of them have walked their own paths in music, now, playing together again the outcome may turn out to be a true firework of two professional musicians. Well, at least you’d better prick up your ears and tie up your shoes ...

• Indrek Kalda – fiddle
• Tiit Kikas – fiddle

Päev	Kell	Koht	Hind
Thursday	16:00	Kaevumägi	60EEK	jah

1. Kyrgystan

Kyrgystan

Jan Yrgagy was set up at the wake of independence of Kyrgyzstan in the early 1990s. It is a loose group of artists, strictly following the tradition of Kyrgyz classical music, the artists play only solo, although Bakyt experimented, for the first time last February, to play with other Kyrgyz and Mongolian artists for the final part of a very successful concert at Théâtre de la Ville in Paris. Bakyt is a researcher, a pedagogue and one of the best kyl kyak players in modern Kyrgyzstan. His music is recorded on CDs with Smithsonian Institute, in Czech Republic. He has travelled extensively for festivals such as Silk Road Festival in Washington in 2002 and Prague European Centre of Culture in 2000.
Nurzat is a young artist with promising dexterity and sharp sense of rhythm for traditional melodies. She has also travelled abroad for performances (Malaysia in 2001 and Hungary in 2004).
Aiday is Bakyt’s student with a very beautiful voice, Viljandi will be her first performance abroad.

• Baktybek Chytyrbaev – kyl kyak (a bowed two string instrument)
• Nurzat Orozalieva – komuz, temir komuz
• Aiday Stamkulova – komuz, kyl kyak, vocal

• Baktybek Chytyrbaev: +996 502 508 633 (mobile) Chytyrbaev@yandex.ru

Finland

Pekko Käppi and Rauno Nieminen are part of the Finnish “jouhikko-scene” and members of Jouhikko-orchestra. They have performed and had workshops all over Finland. In Viljandi they have also invited Marianne Maans to join in their performances

Rauno Nieminen is the grand old man of Finnish jouhikko playing and he has been building, researching and playing jouhikkos since the mid 1970s.
Pekko Käppi is a student of Ethnomusicology at the University of Tampere and has studied folk music in Ala-Könni-Opisto in Kaustinen.
Rauno and Pekko also appear on the world´s very first Finnish jouhikko recording “Hiien Hivuksista - Jouhikko Music from Finland” which was released in 2003.

• Pekko Käppi – jouhikko (a fiddle-like instrument), vocal
• Rauno Nieminen – jouhikko, Jew’s harp, vocal
• Marianne Maans – fiddle, bowed harp, Esse keyed fiddle, vocal

• Pekko Käppi: + 358 50 590 38 91 pekko.kappi@uta.fi

Poland
http://www.drewutnia.skulski.pl/index.php?newlang=eng

Since 1998 “Kapela Drewutnia” has been playing songs inspired by traditional music of the pre-war Poland, and especially by music of the territories where various cultures and traditions existed side by side and mingled with each other. Therefore in the repertoire of the group there are both Lemkish and Ukrainian tunes as well as songs from the Lublin region, Silesia or the southern Poland.

The musicians come from various regions of Poland, but they have been brought together by common musical fascinations and the unique atmosphere of Lublin – the city that has become the home of the group. The goal of ”Kapela Drewutnia” is to familiarise the contemporary listener with old folk songs in the original interpretations of the band. The group seeks to faithfully preserve lyrics and melodies of songs and to convey fully their mood – using available instruments and polyphonic singing.

“Kapela Drewutnia” plays concerts all over Poland as well as abroad (Belgium, Latvia, Slovakia, Ukraine), performing at festivals, outdoor events, folk dance parties, banquets and other occasions. The band has received many awards at festivals and competitions.

So far “Kapela Drewutnia” has issued four albums with Slavonic folk music: “Hetaj-Hetaj” (1998), “Hojaja Szuhaja” (1999), “i uod sie i do sie” (2001) and “Hej, wista” (2004), and a CD “Dzwieki ze stajenki” (2002) with little known Polish carols many of which the group has in its repertoire.

• Anna Rozycka – violin, mandolin, mandola, Bilgoraj suka (ancient Polish fiddle), vocal
• Piotr Chyla–Goniewicz – acoustics, accordion, vocal
• Sebastian Fit –- bass balalaika, double bass
• Konrad Jarski –- accordion, mandolin, guitar, vocal
• Piotr Michalski –- flutes, sopilkas, whistle, wolynka (bagpipes), clarinet, vocal
• Dariusz Mikulowski –- soprano balalaika, vocal
• Mariusz Wolkowicz –- guitar, doshpuluur, mandola, mandolin, torban, vocal
• Piotr Ziolek –- Hutsul drum, tambourine, triangle, bells, vocal; management of the group.

• +48 501 553 839 (mobile) kapdrew@wp.pl

Estonia
http://www.kihnupoisid.pri.ee

Kihnu Boys invite you:

“Over several years we are again in the program of one of the biggest cultural events in Estonia – Viljandi Folk Music Festival.

See you soon!”

• Raino Laine - bass, harmonica, vocal
• Janno Vesik - accordion, karmoshka (Russian diatonic accordion), vocal
• Karel Bauer - guitar
• Ülo Laine - percussion

Raino Laine: +372 534 689 52, kihnupoisid@hot.ee

Estonia

Kratt (Imp) has been active as an ensemble for two years already. “We mostly play more spirited Estonian folk tunes spiced by Irish and English pieces – well, the ones more suitable for dancing! At the same time we try to keep in our repertoire mainly those folk tunes and songs that other Estonian groups have not played yet.

Our aim is not to make complicated arrangements to the tunes, we rather enjoy performing them with spirited joy and authenticity, without excessive jazz elements. We hope that our music enchants the listener wholly, and not only in the stage-audience direction.

Our group members are: Enrik Visla who has played Estonian folk music for years both alone and with different groups: Lõõtspillipoisid (Diatonic Accordion Boys), Folkmill, etc.
Kail Visla, a graduate from Viljandi Culture Academy, also plays in the ensemble “Saba ja Sarved” (Tails and Horns) and works currently in Tallinn as a folk music teacher.
Sulev Reisberg has for some ten years already been connected with folk music, and performed at Viljandi Folk Music Festival with Estonian ETHNO campers. Finally we have discovered a pleasant common expressive means via the ensemble Kratt.”

• Enrik Visla – fiddle, bowed harp, karmoshka (Russian diatonic accordion), diatonic accordion, vocal
• Kail Visla – whistles, bagpipe, Jew’s harp, vocal
• Sulev Reisberg – guitar, accordion

• Sulev Reisberg: +372 524 81 23 sulev@insener.com

Estonia

The good old Kukrid, as they are lovingly called, are truehearted patriots of Viljandi Festival. A group whose music has brought up both the Festival team and our visitors. Who would not remember those wonderful TV shows for children with Artur the Cat and Leopold? Is there any Estonian who has not listened to their tapes until they turned into shreds? Is there any Estonian who has not been to a single concert by Kukerpillid?

At their performance this time, the ensemble will highlight cajun-music where drums are used and the main line is for the violin to play. While playing their traditional repertoire they will naturally use, depending on the theme, cello and bowed harp as well.

• Toomas Kõrvits – guitar, vocal
• Ike Volkov – bass, vocal
• Arne Haasma – accordion, vocal
• Heiki Vahar – violin, vocal
• Juss Haasma – drums
• Lilian Kapp – bowed harp
• Kaspar Kõrvits – cello

Estonia

The young members of a group supervised by Margit Kuhi are coming from different corners of Raplamaa County, the area located in the middle of Estonia. The county’s headquarters of traditional music is Kandlekoda (a workshop specialised in making folk music instruments and arranging every kind of folk music activities). In 2001, Kandlekoda organised the first folk-camp for beginners where they made their first efforts on playing traditional music instruments. Since then their skills have improved and genuine love for folk music escalated into the necessity to play together the tunes of centuries-old songs. In Raplamaa County there is a small place called Vigala from where a lot of folk heritage has been preserved and archived. Many of those are ‘labajalad’ (flat foot tunes), traditional ancient dance melodies. In their program the group will play, sing and dance labajalg-tunes from Vigala in both the traditional way and by trying to create their own sound and thus showing how the roots can be revived.

• Jaana Liländer – recorder, melody-pipe, dance, vocal
• Juss Heinsalu – kannel, vocal
• Margit Kuhi – fiddle, bowed harp, vocal
• Lisandra Roosioja – kannel, dance, vocal
• Helen Jors – accordion karmoshka (Russian diatonic accordion), dance, vocal
• Tiina Lauri – accordion karmoshka (Russian diatonic accordion), dance, vocal
• Ege Lehtsaar – kannel, dance, vocal
• Ruudi Lootus – guitar, dance, vocal
• Jürgen Jaago – guitar, dance, vocal
• Rait Pihlap – rähnipill (woodpecker), kannel

• Margit Kuhi: +372 556 874 74 mardik@hot.ee

Australia/Ireland
www.onelife.ee/Laliya

LALIYA: lå • le • yå (n) “The Dream Time” – a word originating from the aboriginal Worora tribe of Kimberly, located in northwest Australia.

Take a moment from your busy schedule, kick back and relax and listen to the sample music which capture a glimmer of the peace and serenity that is found in Laliya’s tranquil blend of instrumental music; music crafted by these two gifted musicians to calm your spirit and soothe your soul.

James Maguire is from Ireland. And Melissa McCarthy is from Australia. For ten years, Melissa and James , two talented musicians, have successfully combined traditional instrumental music with a contemporary style to evoke images of Australia’s outback, New England’s rolling landscape and everything in between. Australian musical group Lalya was formed in Perth and spreading throughout the rest of Australia, Europe and Canada, Laliya infuses world influences with new age concepts to turn the sounds of the Appalachian Dulcimer, the West African Djembe and the Australian Didgeridoo into a musical journey.

James Maguire plays the Appalachian dulcimer and the didgeridoo. Melissa McCarthy plays percussion, mainly the Djembe that’s a drum from West Africa. They take their instruments and accompanying accoutrements around the world, Bohemian style. The music funds the travel. And James and Melissa love both. Traveling lets them meet people and performing outdoors lets them meet more people than they would in a large and lustrous symphony hall.

Laliya is an instrumental fusion of traditional instruments played in a contemporary style. Having performed internationally for the last eight years, Laliya are now making their North European debut in tiny Estonia with 11 concerts in one week. This duo create an evocative soundscape enhanced through the use of ‘two hand tapping’ on the Dulcimer, together with the spirited percussive rhythms of the Djembe, and the haunting vibrations of the Didgeridoo. A dynamic union of lilting melodies, resonant tones, and earthy beats that is truly a transcendent auditory experience.

The best of the best in the world. Atmospheric folk.
Admission free of charge thanks to supporters.

Come and enjoy even when it rains.

Donation of a choice in support of Estonian SOS Children’s Village – dedicated to the promotion of world music & culture and quality of life among children without parental support throughout Estonia.

• James Maguire - Appalachian dulcimer, didgeridoo
• Melissa McCarthy - percussion

Estonia

Working language is Estonian.

Men interested in singing continue their traditional “waking” before concerts singing the repertoire meant for men only.

In our urbanized society women demand equal rights with men and push forward to get to the fields traditionally considered male area. Village communities had through ages developed a certain system how all people had to work according to their age and abilities. This is how it goes both in work and spiritual life. That kind of system was necessary to survive and sustain life.

The world of songs is also divided. Many songs had such a strong message that no other way was deemed possible. Every word was loaded at that time. The melody was seemingly easy, yet it was the polished simplicity that carried the meaning and power of the word. It is not right to think that men were only singing energetic, indecent and funny songs. There is knowledge that men were sharing with each other, and feelings that the others cannot gather.

In the urbanized society there are other requirements and other rules. Music is for consuming and listening, the most important is its entertaining quality. A modern song in spiced up with some dialect word or folk music phrase found in a museum because this is what sells, however, they cannot sing or tell their story that way on their own. The magic word today is selling; the magic words of the old times were knowledge and skills.

Men Singing Workshop is a meeting place for those men who want to sing THEMSELVES and through this singing feel their role in the current of life. NB! Women are not allowed in this workshop!

Norway

Working language is English.

What is this famous nine-string Norwegian hardingfele or Hardanger fiddle like? It is known that this fiddle can only be found in certain areas in Norway. The workshop will give a better insight into the history and repertoire of this special sounding instrument. And, naturally some typical Norwegian fiddle tunes will be learned.

Estonia

Working language is Estonian.

We sing together nursery rhymes known in the country people runo song tradition and try to play baby-games together. We speak about the good that children and mother-father get from one or the other song and being together, how the songs and games contribute to the development of the child and to the communication between parents and children. We exchange experiences on how the runo song and our culture could be put into use at different parents’ gatherings and babies’ circles. We explain how to structure a baby circle meeting considering the receptive abilities of the child. We also teach you how to make a simple baby carrying cloth. All mothers-fathers with their babies and toddlers as well as everyone else interested are welcome.

France
http://oliver.sitamica.com

Both natives from South-West of France, friends since 1974, multi-instrumentalists and singers, Didier Oliver and Emmanuel Pariselle have an enormous repertoire of dances and songs from South-West of France, of course, but also music which crossed their roads during last 30 years as Cajun, Irish and all the traditional French musics.

• Didier Oliver – violin, mandoline, pipe, vocals
• Emmanuel Pariselle – accordion, concertina, vocals
• Myriam Added – accordion
• Christine Leymonie

• Emmanuel Pariselle: +33 549 600 234 (phone/fax); +33 612 063 078 (mobile) emmanuel.pariselle@wanadoo.fr

Finland

Working language is English.

One of the most acknowledged Finnish jouhikko masters Rauno Nieminen talks about the history of bowed harp type instruments. The master has collected materials on such instruments for his PhD dissertation that should be completed in a couple of years and the aim of which is to find out about the possible origin of jouhikko, its distribution areas, known players and describe all instruments that have been preserved until today. The workshop continues with playing where Rauno, Pekko and Marianne teach Finnish jouhikko tunes to the ones interested.

Estonia
http://www.oort.ee/

“The ensemble has arranged older Estonian runo songs and tunes to make them sound more contemporary since 1996. According to our conception you can find archaic folk music in pop, jazz and metal dressing. We have been searching for our own style as well as for different sounds and listeners. Many of this has already been found. During this time we have released two CDs, however, the search continues and goes ever deeper because the sources are inexhaustible.”

• Aleksander Sünter – acoustic guitar, Estonian diatonic accordion, vocal
• Raivo Sildoja – bowed harp, fiddle, vocal
• Toomas Jõks – keyboards, vocal
• Rainer Helgand – bass guitar, vocal
• Mait Sarap – percussion
• Sulev Salm – solo guitar, vocal
• Alar Sünter – French horn, vocal
• Priit Moppel – bagpipes, Jew’s harp, tin whistle, vocal

• Aleksander Sünter: +372 569 122 91 sass@haldjas.folklore.ee

Estonia

“... what is this that is truly worth living: you yourself and the outside world. And you are in fact nothing but a fiddle that the outside world is playing on, and that music is our feeling for the world and living. It is not easy to finally understand, that the world and life and all what happens to that, it is unavoidable and perfect and right in every note. It only depends on you, the fiddle, how pure this note of perfection sounds in you. In yourself, that is mind and heart and soul, are inseparable just like the bow and the fiddle. Human being is the most difficult instrument of all, highly sensitive and reluctant, and life is short to learn to master it.”

Ella Ilbak (1895-1997, the first professional and internationally acknowledged Estonian dancer), “Tuvi Malm”

Welcomers

• Raivo Palmaru, the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Estonia
• Malle Vahtra, Viljandi Mayor
• Ando Kiviberg, Festival Head

Performers

• Virumaa Youth Orchestra (Conductor and Lead Player Jaanus Põlder)
• Viljandi Youth Orchestra (Concert Masters Tonio Tamra and Karel Kadalipp)
• Viljandi Culture Academy Performing Arts graduates and students, and Festival team.

Directing by Kai Valtna and Jaanika Müürsepp

Päev	Kell	Koht	Hind
Thursday	13:00	Kaevumägi	tasuta	jah

Belarus
http://osimira.nm.ru/eng/

Project OSIMIRA was formed in March 2002. The first concert took place on April, 10 in Mogilev. Then performances on the holiday of the City, presentation of the CD “MogilevROCK” and actions “ROCK AGAINST DRUGS” followed.

Osimira has also participated in various festivals and won a few awards.

The magic image or symbol of Osimira is the formula URSIEG. Its secret is victory of all sacred that was over all profane that exists to save all hidden that will exist. We show the message of URSIEG but we don’t show the method to get this formula. So we cannot destroy its magic properties. So our art conforms to what we want to express.

Rhythm is the pulse of the Universe. We find it in the dancing of planets, we see it when seasons change. We hear it when Death comes to greet Life. Rhythm rules everything which is touched by time. Rhythm means vibration, rhythm means sound. Combine some rhythms and you’ll get a complex melody.

• Kanstantsin Kantsavy – pipe, surma (a trumpet), sopilka, cow horn
• Donda Katsiaryna – violin
• Andrei Bindasau – drums, percussion
• Aliaksei Palauchenia – percussion
• Ilya Dauzhankou – bass guitar
• Larysa Preabrazhenskaya – violin
• Andrei Palauchenia – flutes, pipe, percussion, domra alt, kaliuka, vocal

• +375 294 200 568 (mobile); +375 222 246 038 (phone) osimira@mail.ru

Estonia

Pärnu County Violin Choir is made up of violin students, teachers and graduates from Pärnu-Jaagupi, Sindi and Vändra Music Schools. Pärnu County Violin Choir repertoire comprises violin tunes from folk tradition that have been collected over the years from Pärnu County mainly. Contemporary arrangements for the choir are made by the choir instructor Krista Sildoja.

“Our aim is to revive the tradition of instrument choirs that has historically been characteristic to Pärnu County. With the music we would like to please both ourselves and our fellows. The goal of our music is to cheer up ourselves and others – and do it OURSELVES.”

• Siiri Laanesoo, Lisette Eriste, Johannes Eriste, Kristjan Mägi, Liis Mägi, Liis Põder, Eve Künnapas, Heli Künnapas, Karin Künnapas, Merike Teppan, Raili Aarna, Liis Jürisson, Hanna Kivila, Alti Tõnissaar, Kristi Dremljuga, Annika Jõulu, Agne Luur, Hedvig Madisson, Karin Madisson, Melissa Mägisalu, Andrus Nuut, Roosi Rõõmusaare, Uku Sildoja, Krista Soosaar, Merilyn Taul, Hanna Valk, Silja Tammai, Triin Orav, Krista Sildoja

Sweden
http://www.johanhedin.com/

Pelle Björnlert and Johan Hedin play folk music primarily from Småland and Östergötland. The duo have a predilection for the music that was most popular among the fiddlers and church musicians of the late 18th century and which chimes in with the style nowadays known as Baroque. Pelle’s intensely personal playing on the fiddle and violino d’amore really brings the tunes to life. The old melodies start talking again – often after many years existence in the form of faded ink on yellowing paper. Here the tunes receive sympathetic accompaniment on tenor nyckelharpa, an instrument that sounds not unlike the foremost bass instrument of Baroque music: the viola da gamba.

These two Småland musicians conduct a spirited dialogue in their music, making the listeners prick up their ears. When their feet can no longer hold still it becomes evident that here is old music that was made for dancing. The duo play both for concerts and dances.

Pelle Björnlert. In the early 1970s Pelle was inspired by the Småland master musician Bengt Löfberg to start “digging” in the sleeping but rich soil of Småland and Östergötland tunes. Pelle and Bengt released the album ‘En roliger dans’ and became role models for many fiddlers in south Sweden. Resuscitation of the tradition has taken place with the aid of old recordings, manuscripts, visits to elderly fiddlers still living, and the whole time closeness to dancing has been paramount. The most recent solo album ‘Fors’ (rapids) is on the Giga label.

• Pelle Björnlert – fiddle and violino d´amore
• Johan Hedin – tenor nyckelharpa

• Pelle Björnlert & Johan Hedin: +461 501 29 96; +467 044 436 53 info@johanhedin.com

Estonia

Pööningubarokk, or Attic Baroque in English.
“In the attic of a manor in Västergötland, in Sexdrega parish three notebooks were found in the 1920s that contained popular melodies or mainstream of the 1770s. They were titled “Johannes Bryngelsson’s Notebook”, “Anders Larsson’s Notebook” and “Polonaises Mostly”.

Our joint playing, too, began with these tunes, although later on we have also played several medieval ballads of the knights, Sofia’s pieces and also other Swedish tunes and songs.”

• Sofia Joons – fiddle and vocal
• Maarja Nuut – fiddle
• Janek Kesselmann – guitar

Estonia

Ensemble Proseuhe has been active for a little more than a year; all members are this spring graduates from Estonian Music Academy. The leader of the group and a singer Britt Timusk has studied singing and music in England (Derby College Wilmorton) as well as in France (L`association de la musique et la danse Irlandaise).

The uniqueness and idiosyncrasy of the group is in playing old Gaelic and spiritual and authentic Irish folk music. Their extensive knowledge of this type of music and culture have also paved their way to professionally high-level performances where they use classical instruments: flute, guitar, 2 violins, bodhran, tablas, framedrum. Proseuhe is the only group in Estonia who makes that kind of music.

• Britt Timusk – bodhran, vocal
• Eike Vellend – violin, vocal
• Inga Masing – flute
• Martin Kööbi – guitar
• Tiiu Õunapuu – violin
• Arno Kablus – tablas

• Lea-Liisbet Peterson: +372 534 870 86 lea@ulajazz.ee

Estonia
www.raud-ants.com

Raud-Ants (Iron-Ants) is an Estonian folk-metal band established in 2002. The mission of Raud-Ants is to promote Estonian old Kalevala-meter runo song tradition via contemporary rock music combining mostly feminine texts and tunes with hard-powered sound. Every composition of Raud-Ants is based on an authentic folk song: either on an archival record or a piece of living tradition. Alongside rock instruments traditional instruments such as 6-string kannel, violin and bowed harp are in use.

• Eva Tolsa – vocal
• Marion Selgall – vocal
• Marju Varblane – violin, bowed harp, bagpipes, vocal
• Tarvi Martens – 6-string kannel, throat
• Madis Arukask – electric guitar
• Arnold Looga – bass, throat
• Andres Linnupuu – percussion

• Madis Arukask: +372 504 55 47 madis@kultuur.edu.ee

Estonia

Seljanka is a folk instrument ensemble, also including both fiddle and double bass according to this year’s theme. We come from Tori and have been active for two years already.
Our reprtoire includes folk music and folk music arrangements, but we also play our versions of contemporary music on folk instruments. We are a good band for open-air dance parties. That is what we have mostly been doing in addition to our concert performances. 2004 autumn we were appointed the best dance band at Pärnu County Bands’ Days. 2004 spring we released our first CD.

• Merike Teppan – fiddle
• Aivo Leesaar – double bass
• Lea Andrekson – kannel
• Oskar Tominga – guitar, vocal
• Andrus Kolk – jauram (folk-style rhythm instrument), rhythm instruments, vocal
• Margus Siilak – accordion

• Merike Teppan: +372 560 57 33, merike.teppan@mail.ee

Wales
www.sildmusic.com

Sild (an Estonian word meaning bridge) is based in Wales, who have developed a truly original fusion of two different musical cultures Estonia /Wales, rooted in tradition yet thoroughly modern, they create timeless music.

Last year they recorded their debut album `Priodi` (a Welsh word meaning to marry/combine), which has received enthusiastic reviews from folk music magazines and radio programs.

This summer they are busy performing their music in festivals and concerts through the Great Britain.

They are happy to be back in Viljandi to play their new material from the little-known traditions of West-Wales; beautiful, fascinating music learnt from Welsh master musician Ceri Rhys Matthews.

• Sille Ilves – fiddle, bowed harp, vocal
• Martin Leamon – guitar, bouzouki

• Sille Ilves; Martin Leamon: +441 792 230 272 (tel.); +447 969 892 306 (mobiil)
  

silleilves@hotmail.com; martinleamon@hotmail.com

Estonia

Within 45 minutes you have a wonderful chance of getting an overview of folk songs and tunes sung and played before us.

In-between live musical examples the performers will talk about their personal relationships with folk music and travel through our musical history on songs and tunes. This lecture-concert is mainly directed to music teachers in order to demonstrate the program that Estonian Traditional Music Center is offering for our schools since 2005 spring season. The series of lectures will continue until there are interested people.

• Anu Taul – small kannel, Jew’s harp, bagpipes, guitar, vocal
• Tarmo Noormaa – different diatonic accordions
• Raivo Sildoja – small kannel, bowed harp, fiddle, the history of folk instruments

Moldova

The group was formed in 1992. “Stefanet`s group is one of the most brilliant representatives of these virtuosos of Moldavian musicians whose music inspired Brahms, Liszt or Bartok.” Gilles Fruchaux France. All band members are high level professional musicians whose career is realized in many international music projects. One important trial which the group performed with huge success was a three-hour concert broadcasted by Radio France for the Francophone countries.

Anatol – leader of ‘Stefanet folk band’ and a jazz folk group ‘Trigon’ is known as a virtuoso. “…. kind of the Jimi Hendrix of the viola. He comes from a long line of musicians. His ancestors were musicians by trade, including his grandfather, Toader, who was quite famous during his time. Unlike his predecessors, Stefanet studied music for a number of years before starting professional career.” Fillip Krum - France

“Like his ancestors, Anatol Stefanet lives for, by and off music. The permanent quest for perfection is for him a question of honor, a mark of authenticity and, his necessity in fine.” Victor Loupan Figaro. France

Like a special guest he was a participant of International Viola Congress 2001 in New Zealand, Wellington. One of his solo CD`s released in France “Anatol Stefanet - Bratsch Solo” was awarded by premium “Shock” in 1999 and 2002 – ”Musique du Monde“. Since 1996 he is a member of Okay Temiz “Black Sea Orchestra” named by the press “all star band” and the member of Berlin Experimenti orchestra conducted by Bardo Henning. His discography consists 10 CDs released in France, Germany, Russia, Rumania, Moldova, Belgium, Greece.

Multi-instrumentalist Vali Boghean playing on saxophone, trumpet, tilinca (end-blown flute), flute, kaval (a very old folk flute from the Balkans), and vocal is the winner of international competitions in Moldova and Rumania, where he was awarded as the best instrumentalist on ”Galbena Gutuie“, ”Lautarii Moldovei“, ”Maria Dragan“, ”Malurile Dunarii“, ”Maria Tanase” festivals. Sandu Sura currently is one of the best cymbal players from the Balkan region. He does not limit his repertoire playing folk, but performs classical and jazz music on cymbal with large success.

• Anatol Stefanet – viola
• Edgar Stefanet – accordion
• Valentin Dragalin – nai, (pan flute)
• Andrei Prohnitchi – guitar
• Ion Croitoru – double bass
• Sandu Sura – cymbal
• Arkadii Buzgan – driver

• 373 227 475 96; 373 791 88 444 (mobiil); 373 795 97 447 (mobiil)
  

trigon@moldova.md; trigon1@mail.md

Estonia / Russia
http://www.narvamuuseum.ee/ru_pages/suprjadki.htm

The Narva Museum ensemble Suprjadki was established in 1985 consisting mainly of Narva Music School teachers. Their repertoir contains old Russian songs of customs and traditions which are presented unarranged maintaining the local dialect they are in. The leader of the ensemble is Marina Kuvaitseva.

The ensemble is actively educating people giving lecture-concerts at schools. Traditions are often made more illustrative by performing plays. In 1993 «Vene pulm» (Russian wedding) and «Jõuluõhtud» (Christmas nights) were staged together with M. Zverjeva theater troup. In addition to Russian traditions Suprjadki is also studying Estonian and Isuri traditions. The ensemble has participated in many international folklore festivals in Russia and elsewhere and has won several contests. In 1997 Suprjadki organized an International Folklore Festival in Narva.

Suprjadki program this year offers holiday and wedding songs of the peoples from the border area between Russia and Estonia. However, they also sing lyrical songs from different places all over Russia. Characteristic to Suprjadki the songs are in their local dialects. At Green Stage Suprjadki will perform in the framework of Rahva Tants (Folk Dance) program, performing and teaching different folk games (rounds) and dances (quadrilles).

• Marina Kuvaitseva, Jana Kuvaitseva, Galina Bõstrova, Jevgeni Bõstrov, Irina Vorobjova, Annika Vorobjova, Eva Vorobjova, Tatjana Klimina, Ilja Klimin, Jelena Jurkevitš, Olga Sergejeva, Tatjana Zubkova, Sirje Sirnask, Nadežda Moskaljova, Natalja Atonen, Valeri Atonen, Jelena Sabinina, Maria Izjumova, Oksana Avarjaskina

• Marina Kuvaitseva: +372 564 747 22, suprjadki@hot.ee

USA
http://www.oysterboys.com/

Them Eastport Oyster Boys are the Official Goodwill Ambassadors from the City of Annapolis, Maryland, USA and the Maritime Republic of Eastport (MRE). The “Boys” have been delighting audiences for over a decade with their humorous and touching songs and stories set on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Them Eastport Oyster Boys have been featured in international media, radio and television for their singing the praise and environmental stewardship of their beloved Chesapeake. Good hats, old wooden work boats, loyal dogs and the ways of the waterman are all echoed in Them Eastport Oyster Boys music and humor. They appear at the Viljandi PÄRIMUSMUUSIKA FESTIVAL courtesy of the City of Annapolis Sister City program and the Maryland Baltic Council.

• William Jeffery Holland – baritone ukulele
• Richard Kevin Brooks – 6-string banjo, guitar
• Thomas Alfred Guay – violin, hammer dulcimer, guitar

• Jan M. Case: 410 280 39 45
• Ruth Louise White: 410 562 33 53
• Karen Guay: 410 626 79 84
  

eoysterboy@aol.com

Estonia
http://www.tiitkikas.com

“...well, er, isn’t it always like that, when you can’t make it the easy way you’ve gotta make it the hard way. And, indeed, this might become a habit ... And not only in what concerns playing an instrument ... well, maybe my fascination for the technical will one day wear out and I will take leaps, my violin in a plastic bag, towards our culture house –, until then, however, I will try to take as big steps as my short legs allow, in order to dig in this unknown land and create, at least for myself, a different view of violin to the one that people have known for centuries ...

Best wishes
Tiit Kikas.”

Sweden

Trio Fata play traditional folk music from various parts of Sweden. With two voices, fiddle and the rather unusual tenor nyckelharpa the sound of the trio covers a wide range of sounds. Their repertoire spans from instrumental dance music to ballads and songs.

• Anders Peev – tenor nyckelharpa
• Kajsa Dahlström – vocals & fiddle
• Katarina Hallberg – vocals

• Anders Peev: +46 864 647 34, +46 704 050 448 anders.peev@tele2.se

Estonia

This year Triskele shares with the festival audience a selection of folk hymns from the historical area of Mulgimaa in South-Estonia. These tunes are based on the manuscript choral book of the organist Gustav Swahn from Helme parish church dating back to the year 1774. This collection of hymns, the oldest one known in the Baltic States, offers a great joy of exploration as its arrangements take into consideration the one-time manner of singing that allowed free decorations and variations. Triskele, for their part, adds folk instruments and tries to guess in some cases also the atmosphere how these hymns might have sounded 230 years ago.

• Janno Mäe – drums, vocal
• Jaanus Roosileht – fiddle, bowed harp, rebec, vocal
• Toivo Sõmer – kannel, ud, vocal
• Tarmo Tabas – vocal
• Heikki-Rein Veromann – flutes, vocal
• Ergo-Hart Västrik – vocal

• Toivo Sõmer: +372 556 711 34 triskele2@hotmail.com

Ireland

A fresh new band strongly based in the folkloric traditions of Estonia, Irish and Scottish. Trostan believe that folk music is an evolving art form to which they all contribute through self-composition. From Ireland, Scotland, Estonia and Finland, these friends have travelled a long way in their separate musical developments through genres as wide ranging as jazz, rock and dance music. The musicians have recently banded together to play the folk music that has affected them the most. Trostan have come a full circle to create a new folk idiom infusing influences from each of their lives and experience.

Sandra Sillamaa (Estonian bagpipes, overtone flute, Whistles), 20 years old from Viljandi, Estonia, has been playing Estonian bagpipes for 7 years. She has established herself as the unrivalled Estonian piper of her generation. Her debut album will be released this summer. Her unfailing knowledge of folk music compliments her award winning composition perfectly.

J.P. Kallio (guitar, bouzouki, vocals), from Helsinki, Finland, has been playing the guitar since he was 10 years old. He started his first rock band two years later and played with them until he was 20. At 21, J.P. moved to Ireland and became immersed in the folk traditions of Ireland. Nine years, three bands and five albums later he has brought his passion to this original quartet. His vast experience and musicianship has taken him to festivals of the likes of Folkwoods, Holland.

Barra McAllister (flute, whistles, bodhran, vocals), from North Dublin, 22 years old, is the ground breaking Irish flute player in his time. He was guided to the whistle from his early days but only discovered the Flute at the age of 14 and has since then mastered its playing. He is now the musical director for the Clasac touring dance group and has performed his arrangements at huge festivals all over Europe organized by “Cioff”, the cultural branch of the United Nations. He has played in the National Concert hall in Dublin for the last eight years and was billed last year to perform with singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey supporting Bob Dylan on his two Irish dates.

Andy Leighton (fiddle, backing vocals), 27 years old, comes from Dunfries in Scotland. He came to Ireland ten years ago on holidays and missed his return flight while playing a session. Andy studied music at Ceoltoir in Dublin for two years. His love for Dublin’s eclectic music scene has kept him in Ireland since then. He has been playing fiddle for 12 years and was one of the founding members of traditional group “Shinook”. His energetic style has jumped boundaries while still remaining faithful to the tradition and “broken hearts far a field!”

“Trostan play contemporary folk music rooted in cultural traditions adapting its unique character to modern tastes and influences.”

• Barra McAllister – Irish flute, whistles, vocals, bodhran
• Andrew Leighton – fiddle
• Jari-Pekka Kallio – guitar, vocals, bouzouki
• Sandra Sillamaa – Estonian bagpipes
• Tony Quinn – boudhran

• Sandra Sillamaa: +372 52 464 75 ssillamaa@hotmail.com
• Jari-Pekka Kallio: jpkallio@hotmail.com

Ukraine

Working languages are Russian and English.

The workshop introduces and teaches traditional Ukrainian songs and dances.

Estonia
www.untsakad.ee

“We are likely to be the only ensemble that has performed at absolutely all Viljandi Folk Music Festivals. This time we salute the BOW and you are welcome to witness how exactly this will happen! P.S. After the concert you can come and wave us –- Untsakad (the upstarts in Estonian) will pack up their bags and set their steps au Bretagne to the familiar harbor city Paimpol to let the sailor song sound again.”

• Jaanus Jantson –- acoustic guitar, vocal
• Ilmar Kald –- fiddle, vocal
• Jaanus Põlder –- mandolin, vocal
• Margus Põldsepp –- different diatonic accordions, vocal
• Marek Rätsep –- bass guitar, vocal
• Tauno Uibo -– sound

• Jaanus Jantson: +372 502 1649, untsakad@untsakad.ee

Estonia

Mighty were our ancestors who knew to cast their worries and wishes, pleasures and preachings into songs.
“Vägilased” (The Mighty) support their songs in their performances with archaic sounds and rhythms, providing the pieces with spirit, at the same time being rooted to the earth.

• Meelika Hainsoo – fiddle, vocal
• Cätlin Jaago – bagpipe, flutes, whistles, Jew’s harp, vocal
• Toomas Valk – karmoshka (Russian diatonic accordion)
• Jan Viileberg – acoustic guitar
• Martti Tärn – bass guitar
• Reigo Ahven – percussion
• Maria Kivirand – vocal
• Kersti Lõokene – vocal

• Cätlin Jaago, catlin@kultuur.edu.ee; phone +372 534 337 56

Norway
http://www.nama.no/sak/000156.asp

Valkyrien Allstars is a Norwegian folk music group with three fiddlers, Tuva Syvertsen, Ola Hilmen and Erik Sollid. Tuva Syvertsen is also singing.

They have been playing at many festivals and concerts in Norway, but also in other countries. The last three summers they have been touring in Ireland. In summer 2004 Valkyrien Allstars played for UNESCO in Antwerpen and Barcelona.

Their music is traditional Norwegian folk music, set in more modern arrangements. Norwegian folk music is traditionally played solo but they play it with three voices. Some things are their own compositions, and the rest their own arrangements.

All of them have different musicaly backgrounds, so they are, of course, influenced by other types of music. Still, the music is definitly folk music. They are not playing on the ordinary fiddle but the Norwegian hardangerfiddle. It has nine strings. This fiddle you can only find in some areas of Norway, and it has a very special sound.

This will be a concert with traditional Norwegian music and Norwegian world-music.

• Tuva Syvertsen – hardangerfiddle and vocal
• Ola Hilmen – hardangerfiddle
• Erik Sollid – hardangerfiddle

• Erik Sollid: +47 971 347 30 eriksollid@yahoo.no

Estonia

Viljandi Youth Orchestra performs together with Virumaa Youth Orchestra at the Festival Opening on July 28 at 1p.m. and gives their own separate concert on July 30 at 2p.m. on Green Stage.

Sirli Kangur – flute, Annika Kant – flute, Kädi-Liis Hunt – flute, Laura-Liisa Tamra – flute, Madis Järvekülg – clarinet, Tuulike Agan – soprano saxophone, Ulvi Võsa – alto saxophone, Kristel Marand – tenor saxophone, Mati Tubli – French horn, Siim Tubli – euphonium, Tõnu Tubli – trombone, Mati Hüva – tuba, Nele Aunap – bells, Mikk Villem – xylophone, Liisi Metsvahi – violin, Karel Kadalipp – violin, Leila Röömel – violin, Laura Rein – violin, Joanna Võido – violin, Cärol Kralla – violin, Avely Buk – violin, Tiia Vares – violin, Tiina Tsõtsin – violin, Katre Suits – violin, Katri Teever – violin, Siiri Mägi – violin, Sirje Rein – violin, Taavi Jaadla – violin, Tonio Tamra – viola, Kadi Kuivits – cello, Tanel Kadalipp – double bass, Johan-Kristjan Konovalov – double bass, Rainer Koik – double bass

Conductor and the lead player Jaanus Põlder
Concert Masters Tonio Tamra and Karel Kadalipp

• Tonio Tamra: +372 501 39 48, tonio@kultuur.edu.ee

Estonia
http://www.virre.ee

Better a bow in palm than a fiddler on the roof.

• Sandra Nurmsalu – vocal
• Ürjo Jaama – fiddle
• Toomas Torop – viola
• Ott Kaasik – octave mandolin, vocal
• Kaarel Liiv – bass
• Kristjan Priks – percussion, vocal

• Toomas Torop: +372 564 732 62, toomas@virre.ee

Estonia

We began in February 1997 playing classical music. At the instruction by Jaanus Põlder, traditional music was added to our repertoire in 2000. We have 30 young people in our orchestra, their ages ranging from 11 to 20. We have performed at Võru Folklore Festival, Viljandi Folk Music Festival and at other folklore festivals such as Viru Säru and Baltica. We have also played at festive receptions both in our own county and in the Kadrioru Palace in Tallinn. Our orchestra has been introducing Estonian folk music in Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Sweden, Germany, France and St.Petersburg. We are proud to say that after our proposal Estonian traditional music was included in the repertoire of the joint orchestra of Jaan Pakk Young Musicians’ Days, and both Estonian as well as guest orchestras play together with us. We also participated in the joint orchestra of the IX Youth Dance Festival, and in the violin class organized at the Townhall Square in Tallinn as part of the folk music days organized during the 2004 Singing and Dance Festival.

Maarja Ervald, Mariann Sirgmets, Laura Sipp, Ingely Laiv, Villu Talsi, Kadri Nurk, Tuuli Viliberg, Kadri Reinsoo, Henri Hütt, Triin Niidla, Elsa Levo, Katariina Linde, Tuuli Korsar, Merily Rohtsalu, Anna-Liisa Neumann, Laura Kuusma, Mart Kuusma, Katalina-Johanna Soomets, Luise Risthein, Henri Veidenbaum, Kati Madisson, Piret Piiskoppel, Arvo Reinsoo, Taavet Niller, Riina Linde, Eve Sarnet, Tiina Pikkamäe, Evelin Tammiku, Jaanus Põlder, Pilvi Lepiksoo

• Pilvi Lepiksoo: +372 325 80 37, +372 534 239 98, pilvi.lepiksoo@l-virumv.ee

Our dear guests have spent several sleepless nights at the Festival bending over their bows, pouring with perspiration, at the Estonian Folk Music workshop organized specifically for them...

In the warmth of the setting sun and burning heartbeats plenty of bows will rise and stop in elated expectation above the strings... And then, to the hint of the first violin, they begin to poor out molten music that wash over the audience and soon turn into mellow memories. Thus adorned with fire and bow they set out for their mission to bring new people to the wonders of folk music...

Henri Veidenbaum (Virumaa Youth Orchestra) and Meelika Hainsoo (The Mighty) (Estonia), Anne Lederman (Canada), Ola Hilmen, Erik Sollid, Tuva Syvertsen (Norway), Andrew Leigthon (Ireland), Henrik Jansberg and Sophia Eriksson (Denmark), Marianne Maans (Finland), Didier Oliver (France), Sulev Salm (guitar; Oort), Kristjan Priks (percussion; Virre), Raido Koppel (accordion; VLÜ), Ott Kaasik (bass; Virre), Jaanus Põlder (violin, mandolin; Untsakad and Virumaa Noorteorkester) and many other wonderful musicians.

Estonia

After quite some time there is again the possibility at Viljandi Folk to meet your old favorites. Väikeste Lõõtspillide Ühing (Association of Small Diatonic Accordions) is ready and performing for those people in particular whose eyes lit up and feet begin to wonder while hearing the so-called sailor songs.

• Marko Matvere – banjo, guitar, vocal
• Raido Koppel – accordion, vocal
• Aivar Vassiljev – drums
• Sander Udikas – clarinet, saxophone, whistles
• Erkki-Kalle Esop – bass guitar, vocal
• Joel Sarv – violin, vocal

Estonia

Working language is Estonian.

We hear every day about the topics that young girls want to and sing about but what could it be that women and mothers could sing about?

Singing accompanied people in a traditional village life from birth till death, trying to guess the future for children, sometimes giving the chance to speak about your unlucky life or express happiness about the beauty of nature. You could sing about anything. In this women singing workshop we are going to take a trip through her life: expecting a baby and singing lullabies, leaving home and getting married, songs about mother, etc.

Estonia
http://www.zone.ee/zetod/

Zetos is a folk music ensemble of four schoolboys in Värska, Estonia. The Ensemble arranges Seto folk tunes into more contemporary settings. Zetos have introduced Seto folk costumes and songs at some 40 different folklore and public events. From the very first days it is Artur Linnus who deals with the diatonic accordion, the bass is played by Jaanus Viskar, Jalmar Vabarna handles the guitar, and Heimar Puurmaa hammers on the drum.
The instructor of the boys is Kristjan Priks who has graduated from Viljandi Culture Academy as a popmusician and is now studying folk music.

• Artur Linnus – karmoshka (Russian diatonic accordion), vocal
• Jaanus Viskar – bass guitar, vocal
• Jalmar Vabarna – guitar, vocal
• Heimar Puurmaa – percussion, vocal

Estonia
http://www.zorbas.ee

This year you can expect a completely updated program from Zorbas because thanks to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens their repertoire got a significant amount of additions. Zorbas are planning to release a new CD in the autumn of 2005.

“Zorbas is the only ensemble in Estonia playing Greek folk music, that is why we consider it our task to remind you now and again about the beauty of the music sounding from every vine-twined door and window in this wonderful Hellenic country...

We hope that thanks to our efforts many people will visit the homeland of Zorbas in order to absorb that joy and shine from the music and dance that will from then on always follow you with their everlasting invitation to return.

Come and listen then to this frugal offering that we have gathered for you from the Greek islands, mountains, beaches and taverns!

Sto kalo! (All the best!)”

• Margarita Margaro (aka Margarita Raun) – ziljas, tambourine, vocal
• Olavi Zorbas (aka Olavi Kõrre) – bouzouki, outi, lyre, toumberleki, vocal
• Toomas Penuakis (aka Toomas Penu) – bouzouki, outi, toumberleki, vocal
• Aldo Morakis (aka Aldo Järve) – guitar, Irish bouzouki, vocal
• Peep Mouskour (aka Peep Raun) – accordion, recorder, vocal
• Imre Kalamatianos (aka Imre Valmis) – syrynga (panpipelike instrument), clarinet, baglamas, vocal
• Lea-Liisbet Petersonassis (aka Lea-Liisbet Peterson) – double bass
• Laur Lomper (aka Tõnu Oja) – tambourine, vocal

• Peep Raun: +372 506 58 21, peep.raun@neti.ee