3 River Valleys Kantele Association (Jokilaaksojen Kanteleyhdistys ry) organised the open national Finnish Masters competition in traditional kantele on Saturday, May 27th, 2006. This competition was held for the third time. Judges were Sinikka and Matti Kontio.
The competition was a solo competition and small and large kanteles competed in separate categories.
The contestants had to play traditionally and without notes with a maximum of one piece and five minutes per contestant.
All contestants received prizes and the judges also gave out special prizes such as kanteles, recordings, books and tuning machines. Each contestant also received a written critique telling what was good in their performance and what could be improved and developed.
Results:
LARGE KANTELES
CONTESTANTS BORN IN 1995-1996
1. Milla Nyberg, Kokkola
2. Laura Pesonen, Haapavesi 3. Inari Koivusalo, Ylivieska
CONTESTANTS BORN IN 1992-1993
1. Meiju Virta
2. Iida Hannula 3. Alina Jaakonaho
CONTESTANTS BORN IN 1990-1992
1. Maiju Mertala, Haapavesi
2. Kati Rantala, Raahe 3. Hanna Hautamäki, Haapavesi
CONTESTANTS BORN BEFORE 1990
1. Aino Luhtasela, Ylivieska
2. Jaakko Meriläinen, Haapavesi
SMALL KANTELES
CONTESTANTS BORN AFTER 1992
1. Laura Pesonen, Haapavesi
CONTESTANTS BORN IN 1990-1992
1. Maiju Mertala, Haapavesi
2. Hanna Hautamäki, Haapavesi
CONTESTANTS BORN BEFORE 1990
1. Jaakko Meriläinen, Haapavesi
At the end of the competition there was a final concert where contestants picked by the judges performed a wide spectra of traditional kantele music in all major styles.
the program of the final concert:
Kirkonkellot, Meiju Virta
Myllärin polkka, Alina Jaakonaho
Piljantin mazurkka, Kati Rantala
Prinsessa Ruusunen, Iida Hannula
Setä Ukko-Aukon valssi, Aino Luhtasela
Matuska, Laura Pesonen
Haapavetinen sikermä, Maiju Mertala
Antin polkka, Milla Nyberg
Polkkasikermä, Jaakko Meriläinen
Contestants together:
Huhtikuun ilta
Häämarssi Haapaveden purppurista
Setä Hermannin Valssi
After the concert two contestants were awarded silver kantele medals. Jaakko Meriläinen and Jane Ilmola proved that they have a working repertoire of at least 50 pieces that they can play from memory, adding 30 new pieces to the 20 they knew for their bronze kantele awards in 2003.
Congratulations to all the contestants and thanks to everyone who helped, also to the wonderful audience. We'll se you again in two years!