Kalevala’s highly anticipated original concept album The Musical (book, music and lyrics by Johanna Telander) celebrates its release today, June 24th. The album features orchestrations by Finnish virtuoso Marko Hilpo, and is mixed by Jay Alton at Alton Audio, and mastered by Brian Lucey at Magic Garden Mastering. It will be available on all major music platforms.
The album features Tony and Olivier nominee Ramin Karimloo, Julia Murney, Marina Pires, Quentin Garzón, Reeta Vestman, Omer Shàish, Natalie Toro, Johanna Telander, Kay Trinidad, Alyssa Fox, Amanda Yachechak, Brandon Contreras, Madison Claire Parks, Kristi Roosmaa, Nirvaan Pal and Davna Ceron. The Ensemble includes Angeline Mirenda, Ariel Neydavoud, Brittany Rodin, Clay Christopher, Courtney Cheatham, Eeppi Ursin, Elena Ramos Pascullo, Jade Rosenberg, Janine Morita Colletti, Joey Boover, John Koski, Kimberly Immanuel, Marc Christopher, Markus Kaitila, Marshall Ross , Mikael Haavisto, Nicholas Leung, Nicole Corris, Noel Houle-von Behren, Olivia Valli, Petra Jasmiina, Rebbekah Vega-Romero, Stephen Velasquez. The group consists of Marko Hilpo, Una Tone, Lydia Hull, Nadir Aslam, Katie Chambers, Magdalena Kress, Olli Hirvonen, Ian Riley, Arei Sekiguchi, Kate Amrine, Julie Dombroski, Jessica Santiago, Liann Cline, Johanna Telander, Justin Vance, Tom Kmiecik.
Johanna Telander: “Kalevala the Musical is more than a musical based on a myth. It is not only a tribute to the Finnish national epic poem, filled with fascinating heroes and exciting stories, but it also highlights the nature’s relationship with humankind. I’ve always been interested in trees and how they can survive us hundreds of years, watching us go through our lives in the blink of an eye. What fascinating storytellers would be they if we knew how to listen to what they have to say? I chose their point of view to tell this story in order to tap into our roots as inhabitants of their world. Perhaps if we listened, their whispers could become clear to us again.
Kalevala The Musical is an epic fantasy set to a lush score of pop, jazz and a touch of Finnish folk music. Inspired by the Finnish national poem, the story follows two children who find an ancient artifact in the woods, opening a magical portal to the forgotten world of Kalevala. Four nature spirits lead children on an adventure through a set of runes to help return the lost spirit of man, Väinämöinen, to its roots, so they can save the world from impending darkness. Ultimately, children become entangled in the story, learning how their creativity can hold the power to change the world.
Kalevala The Musical is produced by Quentin Garzón and co-produced by Kristi Roosmaa. Public Relations and Marketing by Petra Haapamäki, Jenni Niemi, Drew Lent, Kiera Moran, Cate Hudson.
Below, get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the album and click here to order today!
