The Ylioppilaskunnan Laulajat Male Voice Choir in 1890
The origins of Finnish male voice choral singing can be traced to Germany via Uppsala, Sweden. It was first practised in Turku in the late 1810s, and from there it spread east after the university was moved to Helsinki in 1828. Students practised singing under varying conditions and titles - for example, a singing society called Akademiska Sångsällskapet was founded in 1838.
Fredrik Pacius, who served as the music teacher of the university from the year 1835, had an especially positive impact in the development of student singing and the music of the whole country. When the national awakening brought forth the language strife, Finnish-speaking societies aspired to emphasise national characteristics. The founding of YL in 1883 happened at a time when the Finnish language was recognised as an official language and the Finnish language school system and press began developing quickly. In supporting the Finnish national movement in its early years YL vigorously promoted the ideology of Finnishness and heightened the patriotic mood with its songs. The choir was founded by M.A. Pekka Juhani Hannikainen, who had moved to Helsinki from Jyväskylä. Hannikainen was an enthusiastic and versatile amateur of domestic culture.
"The Voice of Finnishness"
The YL Male Voice Choir has been conducted by many central figures to Finnish music, such as P.J. Hannikainen, Heikki Klemetti, Selim Palmgren, Martti Turunen, Ensti Pohjola, Heikki Peltola and, from the year 1980 onwards, Matti Hyökki.
Finnish music and YL are of roughly the same age. The choir's 10th anniversary concert was the first concert given entirely in the Finnish language. The concert included premiers of 9 pieces. Among these was Sibelius' Venematka (The Boat Journey), which, together with the Kullervo Symphony, is said to have altered the direction of Finnish choral music substantially. "The Finnish song was released from the shackles of tradition and suddenly rang in the air independent and renewed, free and energetic. The musical art shook hands with the young singers and struck tones never before heard in this country", wrote the press. One of the basic ideas behind YL has always been performing and renewing Finnish choral music for male choir. Jean Sibelius, for example, has dedicated many of his works to YL (Rakastava / The Lover, Sydämeni laulu / Song of my Heart, Sortunut ääni / The Broken Voice for instance).
Under Heikki Klemetti's leadership in the beginning of the 20th century YL developed the Finnish male choral tradition to an extremely high quality. The impact of YL's singers on the birth and spreading of active choral singing was substantial, and can still be seen in choirs' repertoires as continuous effort to raise artistic quality.
Messenger of choral music
From the beginning attention was also paid to "educating the people". Summer choirs were ensembles of 12 singers that went on tour across Finland by horse and boat, offering patriotic songs to the rural population for the first time. In addition to organising their concerts, local officials provided these ensembles with upkeep and festivities.
YL has become world famous on its extensive international tours and numerous recordings. In the 1930s the choir was a notable standard-bearer for Finnish musical art on its tours in Central Europe (1935) and the USA (1937-1938). In Finland these events were observed closely and the choir was received home with ceremonies resembling those for a contemporary successful sports team.
The history of recorded Finnish choral music is short. At first recordings were made mostly during international tours. YL started recording consistently under Heikki Peltola in the 1970s. Since Matti Hyökki became the conductor of YL, the choir has increased its recording rate as it has been concentrating on recording the complete Finnish national romantic works for male choir (Sibelius, Kuula, Madetoja, Palmgren). Emphasis has also been put on contemporary music for male choir, folk songs and tangos. YL has recorded Sibelius' Kullervo Symphony four times.
Growth rings
YL as an organisation has managed to respond well to challenges posed by each period of time. On the other hand, it has preserved proven traditions. YL has withstood the language strife, years of war and the radicalism of the late 1960s, when the choir criticised for being reactionary.
YL is a part of the history of the University of Helsinki and its Student Union. The manifold social backgrounds of the singers and the exchange of opinions brought forth by the diversity of their major subjects have indicated the aspirations typical to Finnish academic students. Today the sharpest edges of the major difficulties and movements of each period have been blunted.
Continuity has been upheld many brothers, fathers and sons from the same families in the choir. After their choral careers, many singers of YL have acted in noteworthy ideological and societal positions, having a diverse impact on the development of society. Among others, the choir has had the privilege of having as members President J.K. Paasikivi, Councillor of State Johannes Virolainen, 24 future ministers and about 40 MPs.
YL has always paid attention to artistic quality. Many singers of the early years did, however, join the choir also for reasons other than artistic and remained active for only a short while. Today the average young student joins YL for a long time, is artistically ambitious and takes in a large repertoire quicker than his predecessors. Active participation in the choir requires from the singer rigorous work, a strong sense of humour and a socially inclined nature.
Authors: Yrjö Kaimio and Antti Lindqvist
Translation: Riku Kanninen
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