Ketsurat

Vocal group Ketsurat equals six female voices singing stories weaved in a choreography of rhythm and colours. The songs we perform are not just music, to us they are tales, stories, everyday subjects for discussion. Finnish folk music tradition is made of beauty and poverty, yearning and deceit, heartache and pain. These themes have carried us through the years. Being inspired by such touching subjects makes us write more and more songs by ourselves. Nevertheless, sometimes one had better take a look at the world out there – and we do that by welcoming into our program songs and stories from nearby as well as far away cultures. Somehow the good ones just keep flowing into our ears and hearts. We cherish all our songs as common treasures meant to be shared with you.

One can’t escape the distinct elements of Ketsurat sound, broad ranged polyphonic vocals, variety of tones and the stories behind the songs which are firmly rooted in our past. Ketsurat seeks to obtain the original feeling and sound, and reaches out to grasp the authentic style to use ones voice as an instrument. The repertoire covers every occasion and features both the more simplistic, often daring rhyme songs from the Finnish rural culture in the early 20th century, and local ethnic music, such as a bambara song from Mali. The quest for authenticity is, however, not taken to extremes, as Ketsurat wants to make sure that they always bring something of their own to each piece. Some songs are given an extra dimension with the use of instruments. Colourful appearance and strong visual presence is also a trademark of Ketsurat.

The name goes back to Northern Karelia in the modern Russian territory, where the word ‘ketsura’ is used in yoiks and stands for i.a. girl, maiden, wife and mother. Conveniently describing the essential both.