The four women of Kardemimmit play the Finnish national instrument, the kantele, which is similar to a zither or dulcimer. Maija Pokela, Jutta Rahmel, Anna Wegelius, and Leeni Wegelius have mastered both the 15-stringed and 38-stringed kanteles, and they sing with delicate, tight vocal harmonies in a style known as “reki.” They perform traditional songs and also write new music for their voices and instruments, but their work is founded in Finnish, Eastern European, and Scandinavian traditions. Along with Kardemimmit’s distinctive reki singing, you’ll hear elements of Eastern Finnish archaic improvisation and ancient runo singing. Their powerful live performances are simply remarkable.

Presented in partnership with the IU Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center.