Martti Pokela

Martti Eliel Pokela (23 January 1924 – 23 August 2007) was a Finnish folk musician and composer.[1] Pokela was an expert with the kantele, Finland's national musical instrument.[1][2][3][4]

Martti Pokela
Martti with his wife Marjatta in 1965
Born
Martti Eliel Pokela

(1924-01-23)23 January 1924
Haapavesi, Finland
Died23 August 2007(2007-08-23) (aged 83)
Helsinki, Finland
OccupationMusician, educator
Known forMusic for kantele

Life and career

Pokela and his wife, Marjatta Pokela, were widely credited with ushering in a revival in interest in Finnish folk music beginning in the 1950s.[1][5] Their daughter, Eveliina Pokela, began performing with them in the 1960s.[1][2]

Pokela merged traditional Finnish folk music with contemporary sounds. The family's albums have also been released outside of Finland.[1]

Pokela taught kantele playing at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and Kuopio until 1987.[1] He was the founder of the academy's folk music department, where he was named a full professor in 1980.[1][2]

He is buried in the Hietaniemi Cemetery in Helsinki.[6]

  • Performing with Marjatta at Seurasaari in 1959
  • Together with Marjatta and Eveliina performing in a television studio, on the show Nylands Hörna in 1966
  • Martti performing with his wife Martta for an audience at the courtyard of the National Museum of Finland in 1966
  • Their daughter Eveliina having joined them
  • Family grave at Hietaniemi Cemetery

Albums
  • Keskiyön Auringon Lauluja (1969)
  • Best of Kantele (1995)
  • Sonata For Kantele (1996)
  • Snow Kantele (1998)
  • "Tuulikumpu" (2001)
  • Improsette by Martti Pokela (2005)

See also

References
  1. "Finland's Kantele Master Martti Pokela Dies". YLE. 2007-08-23. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
  2. Jalkanen, Pekka (27 August 2007). "Pokela, Martti (1924 - 2007)". Kansallisbiografia. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  3. "Kansanmuusikko Martti Pokela on kuollut". Ilta-Sanomat. 23 August 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  4. Lång, Markus; Väänänen, Timo. "Martti Pokelan konserttikantelesävellyksistä". Markus Lång. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  5. Juvonen, Päivi. "Marjatta Pokela". Pomus. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  6. "Hietaniemen hautausmaa – merkittäviä vainajia" (PDF). Helsingin seurakuntayhtymä. Retrieved 27 August 2016.


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