Lauteilla (refers to sitting in a sauna) is Chamber Choir Cantinovum’s fifth recording of which five songs have been inspired by Finnish sauna culture. The EP was recorded in Uurainen church in 2020, and through several stages/phases was published in connection with Cantinovum’s 35 years’ concert on December 14, 2024.
| Music Production | Rita Varonen, Sofia Riippi |
| Cover art & layout | Tuuli Hirsivaara |
| Recording, editing & mastering | Pro Audile, Matti Heinonen |
| Acting producer | Sofia Riippi |
| Recorded at the church of Uurainen in the year 2020 |
Lauteilla-EP is an expression of love for the Finnish sauna culture. The five piece Lauteilla is compiled of different sauna related compositions that bring out the heart, soul and healing power of the Finnish sauna Listening to the singing one can almost sense the warmth of a smoke sauna and see oneself by a lake and sitting in the sauna with the mythological character Väinämöinen himself. Three of the songs are commissioned by Cantinovum.
It is customary for Cantinovum to perform music tailor made for them, which is the case for the first three songs on Lauteilla-EP: On the Threshold of Winter in a Lakeside Sauna, Saunavihdat ja Tule nyt löylyhyn, Jumala. Inspired by Rita Varonen, Cantinovum has commissioned tens of compositions from different composers around the world. Its own singers have grown to become conductors, lyricists and composers. One song of the EP has been written by and another composed by a choir’s own singer.
Lauteilla combines new and old lyrics and showcases Finnish sauna culture through choir music. Music takes one on a journey to the core of sauna. What does sauna mean to us? Cantinovum describes sauna as uplifting and calming one’s mind, inviting people to stop and enjoy the warmth. Sauna traditions include peaceful rituals of purication. Like one is renewed and gets ready to face the world clean and warm. Lauteilla is Cantinovum’s invitation to the listener to stop and relax for a moment - listening to the warmth of löyly (steam).
| 1. | Veli Martin – Saunavihdat | 2:56 |
| 2. | Pascal Martiné – On the Treshold of Winter in a Lakeside Sauna | 3:21 |
| 3. | Saima Hyökki – Tule nyt löylyhyn Jumala | 5:02 |
| 4. | Einojuhani Rautavaara – Saunarukous | 0:56 |
| 5. | Juhani Komulainen – Haltian herätys | 3:15 |
| yht. 15:53 |
Additional information and examples can be found on Proaudileweb pages
The journey is started by Saunavihdat. A poem by Maija Konttinen was published in 1938, and the composition was made by Veli Martin Keitel, who conducted this piece in his choir conducting examination.
The second commissioned composition On the Threshold of Winter in a Lakeside Sauna is composed by a German composer Pascal Martiné. This is already the third work that Martiné wrote requested by Rita, and the three were published through the renowned publisher Schott. The lyrics were written by a long standing member Matti Kortet, who currently studies composing. This wistful and lingering piece about a moment in a lakeside sauna when Autumn turns to Winter inspired Cantinovum to produce its first music video.
Tule nyt löylyhyn, Jumala is by Saima Haapanen (née Hyökki), a work which elegantly combines modern rhythms and traditional texts. The song is built around a Kalevala poem where Väinämöinen warms up sauna for none other than the god himself.
In the last two tales sauna itself becomes holy. Einojuhani Rautavaara’s piece Saunarukous with its traditional text invites Virgin Mary to visit the warmth of the sauna.
The last work Haltian herätys is by Juha Komulainen to the enchanting text by Irene Malm. In the text, an elf is woken up from its slumber on the sauna benches in a way that in the end every log comes alive, as well!