Hautojen kuiskaus is a journey through sorrow towards hope
Next Sunday, you will have the chance to listen to, see and experience a selection of poetry and musical works in the Nurmo church.
The poetry and musical works of Hautojen kuiskaus will accompany the listeners through a musical journey ranging from the sorrows of death to the utmost joy. The performance presents a space where spoken word, cello music and choral singing engage in a dialogue.
The musical settings of handwritten texts of the former priest of the church of Nurmo, Jouko Ikola were composed by Matti Makkonen. The baritone Esa Ruuttunen is the soloist of the project, as well as its director. He is joined by the Cello Spirituals, as well as by 40 choir singers from Nurmo and Lapua.
The cantor of the Nurmo church, Päivi Kankainen-Martikainen, who will be the reciter of the texts, was particularly impressed by the depth of Ikola’s words. This poetry gives space for the listener’s own thoughts and, little by little, conducts him on the journey towards hope.
”They’re not there to give ready-made answers”, she says.
Chords of hope
According to Kankainen-Martikainen, you can feel the consolatory character of the work also in Makkonen’s music. Even though the work deals with death and other difficult topics, a sense of hope shows throughout the work.
”Amidst all the sorrow and all the misery, hope shines all through the music”.
The cantor of the Lapua church Juliaana Kellokoski describes it as a flow: the poetry carries the story forward, the choir responds, and the cellos drive the music. The psalms sung by the choir fit the feeling of the poetry and tie it all together.
Everybody in their lives has moments that resonate with the themes of death and longing present in the works.
”The work can offer a special comfort especially to listeners who have experienced the death of a loved one in recent times”, says Kellokoski.
A long-awaited collaboration
his work brings together the Nurmo project choir, assembled especially for this performance, and the Lapua cathedral choir.
”It’s wonderful collaborating with the choirs on a performance of this level for the first time”, both cantors say enthusiastically.
Kankainen-Martikainen also underlines the significance of experiencing this together as a community. You don’t need to be alone with your sorrow and memories.
For the finale, the listeners are also called to join the music, as we all sing along to “Maa on niin kaunis”.
PICTURE: Matti Hautalahti
TEXT: Jaakko Jokela
TRANSLATION: Ennio Roberto Sapatiello
Hautojen kuiskaus
Poetry and musical works at the Nurmo church on 1.11.2026 at 16:00. Free entry. Programme booklet: €10.
