surun synty

Surun synty (Sorrow’s Birth) is Emmi Kuittinen’s latest album and concert. She established for it a band that includes Antti Rask (vocals, ukulele, cello), Mimmi Laaksonen (wind instruments, harmonium, vocals) and Kirsi Vinkki (fiddle, jouhikko/bowed lyra and vocals).

In Emmi’s music can be heard layers from the old runosongs and laments to more modern songs and schlagers. Beside Emmi’s own compositions and lyrics there is material from Karelia, Ingria, Finland and Sweden. In Surun synty she explores the nature of sorrow and what different kinds of sounds melancholy has.

The album Surun synty was published in September 2023 by the German label Nordic Notes and it was nominated as the Ethno Album of the year in Emma Gaala, the Finnish Music Awards.

Emmi Kuittinen is a folk musician, singer and songwriter, who specializes in the Karelian and Ingrian singing styles and also laments. Emmi lives in Helsinki, Finland, but her roots are both in Western and Eastern Finland and Karelia. Emmi’s main instrument is her voice and she also plays keyboard instruments, accordion, ukulele and the Finnish-Karelian instrument kantele. She performs both solo and with various ensembles and she often collaborates with other artists such as dancers and circus performers. She also teaches and offers courses on lamenting and folk singing.

Emmi is educated as a Master of Music and Music Educator, and has trained extensively as a Community Musician, concentrating primarily on making music in hospitals and care taking environments. She has instructed and worked with people from all ages ranging from small babies to senior citizens.

Video by Cristal Alakoski