VILLE OJANEN | RAUTAVAARA
BIOGRAPHY
In this musical soundscape traditional acoustic instruments are in interaction
In one moment the colors of Ojanen’s fiddle and viola are arctic and archaic
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YEAR BY YEAR
1972
1979
1981
1985
1993
1995
1997
1998
1999
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
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as a chameleon in the field of finish folk music.
During last twenty years he has led his music into several new directions.
Ojanen plays his fiddle like a finn but creates his music
out of various styles of world music and shapes it into a personal music of his own.
with modern technology of our time.
Together thay create a contrasting tension which very well characterises the nature of Villes’ music.
but in the next they turn beautiful like the frosty night of March
in the wintertime of Finland.
When this noble sound of string instruments is supported by
male voice from finnish forests the answer is Ville Ojanen.
I was born in Kaustinen
I start to play violin with Juha Kangas as my first teacher.
Besides classical music I study folk music right from the beginning.
I continue violin studies with Mauno Järvelä as my teacher.
Several bands: Troka, Folkkarit, Ottoset.
Troka winns first award in competition for finnish folk bands.
In the same year Trokas’ debute album rises
to seventh place in european folk music chart.
Folkkarit is nominated as the band of the year in the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival.
I compose the first finnish ”folk musical” Henrik
which is also filmed to finnish television in Kaustinen Folk Music Festival
Troka conquests the USA!
Magnificent reception in ”Prairie Home Companion” radio show in Minneapolis.
Troka performes also at the world famous Knitting Factory in New York.
9 pohjoista tarinaa (9 northern tales,) composed for etno-progressive-ensemble
and chamber orchestra, is born. In October first public performance for Syränmaa in Finlandia,
which is performed by JPP, Tallari and Ottoset. Work is directed by Vesa-Tapio Valo.
Troka gives the first public performance for my work Polarisaatio (Polarisation) in Helsinki.
The tremendous visual look of the piece is created by Samuli Woolston.
With Samuli Nordberg we make the order- piece Maalta (from the countryside) for Kaustinen Folk music Festival.
I receive a grant for composing material for my first solo album.
The whole year I’m composing and arranging material for my solo album.
My debut solo album Rautavaara is released.
And I receive a states’ 1-year grant for artists.