History
Värttinä, a Finnish folk music ensemble, originated in 1983 in the village of Rääkkylä, Karelia, as a project by Sari and Mari Kaasinen. The band's name translates to "spindle." Since its inception, Värttinä has undergone numerous evolutions. They achieved significant recognition with the release of their 1991 album, Oi Dai. As of 2009, the group comprises three prominent female vocalists accompanied by three instrumentalists. The vocalists perform in the Karelian dialect of the Finnish language.
Discography and Notable Releases
In August 2005, Värttinä recorded their tenth studio album, Miero, at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki. The album was released in Finland on January 25, 2006, with a worldwide release following on January 30, 2006. The year 2006 also saw the release of the Värttinä Archive Live DVD, which featured content from their 20th-anniversary concert alongside previously unreleased and archival material.
Collaborations and Media Appearances
Värttinä collaborated with Indian composer A.R. Rahman on the score for the theatrical adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, which premiered in Toronto in 2006 and later played in London in 2007.
The band's song "Matalii ja Mustii," from their album Seleniko, was featured on the popular children's television show Arthur. The track was also included on the show's first soundtrack, Arthur and Friends: The First Almost Real Not Live CD (Or Tape).
