Surento - Traditional Karelian Lamenting Concert
Liisa Matveinen, Emmi Kuittinen ja Emilia Kallonen specialize in the Baltic-Finno (such as Karelian and Ingrian) traditions in singing and lamenting.
8.–10.1.2027
Chechk venue
Oxford, Bristol and Stroud
Musiikki
The name Surento refers to the presence and inner mood of a grieving person. The word comes from the special poetic language used in Karelian and Ingrian laments. Laments are part of a diverse tradition that is known around the world. They generally express grief and weep connected with death and other separation rituals of the family and village communities. Laments are part of the communal grieving at funerals, weddings or when leaving for the army or war. They also ease everyday sorrows and worries but they can also express gratitude and hope.
Karelian and Ingrian laments are poetic - sung messages to the unseen other world. Using the traditional poetic words and expressions, lamenting is an ancient way to connect with and care for relatives in the secret, unseen afterlife. The lamenting expressions include metaphorical, gentle and respectful words, as well as a melancholic melody and style of performance that evokes empathy and sympathy. In Baltic-Finno areas, laments have been known among the Orthodox population. Over the centuries, while not an Christian ecclesiastical tradition, the laments have reflected an entire worldview and served as a form of communal practice of rituals and demotic prayer. As the 21st century has unfolded, the tradition of lamenting in Finland has taken on new forms and interpretations in response to the changing cultural and social landscape.
Surento bring the ancient ancient traditions of the "crying verses" - laments or keening songs, to today's audiences. With fearlessness and skill they have created the new, with respect and knowing of the old. Tradition continues when we let it live, and this happens in a particularly beautiful way in Surento's traditional Baltic-Finno singing and lamenting, combing these in their own compositions and improvisations. Along with polyphonic singing they also play kantele and ukulele. The music includes not only traditional laments but also contemporary lamenting songs and runosongs following the traditional lyrics composed by Surento. Lamentations are performed in Karelian and Ingrian (Izhorian) languages, as well as the personal contemporary lamenting languages and styles of the trio.
Oxford - 8th January
Concert with Songhold : 7-9pm, Quaker friends Meeting House, St Giles, Oxford
Bristol - 9th January
Workshop: 11am-1pm
Concert: 3-5pm, Wild Goose Space, The Yard, St Werburghs, Bristol
Nailsworth - 10th January
Concert :- 2.30-4.30pm, The Sub rooms, Bath Road, Nailsworth (Stroud area), Gloustershire