"This Is My Song (Finlandia)" by VOCES8, Reaction/Analysis by Musician/Producer

[@k.l.7788]

As a finn this version seems a bit ”wrong” as it is not sung in finnish and the lyrics are changed to religious ones. Here is a link to a version as we finns like to hear this song. (with English lyrics) . Finlandia tells the story of Finlands independence and is our unoffical national anthem kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp2mn5qridmmibMsi=8KHVSenY8VU1EHkq

[@JakeKilka]

Yes it's like Borat singing the US national anthem with lyrics of his fictional national anthem of Kazakhstan

[@ollir]

Not to mention the arrangement takes liberties in harmony that just don't belong in the spirit of the original IMHO.

[@PolarDove]

Yeah. As a finn, it always annoys me when someone takes Finlandia and turns it something it is not. 😠

[@miraontto73]

Musta on just hienoa, että siitä on tehty hengellinen versio. Kyllä alkuperäiset sanat kertoo juurikin Suomen varjeluksesta ja on koskettanut hengellisesti. Silloinhan se ei vaivannut ketään ja koko maa rukoili Jumalan varjelusta meidän maalle.

[@Larissa64740]

Mietin ihan samaa!

[@Aenea-de9vy]

As a Finn, this song always brings tears in my eyes. So beautiful song! Sibelius was a great composer. This choir was great too! Thank you for this reaction!

[@joaquinl9225]

i was just going to say the same thing just to find it already written, its soo soo beautiful and emotional ...

[@imatrOlda]

Should be Finnish anthem. Saying as a Czech living in Finland for over 15 years. Finnish lyrics much more touching. Hyvää itsenäisyyspäivää!

[@ttirinen]

The English lyrics do no justice to the song😢 The singing was superb ❤

[@marjuskax2237]

Finlandia is very special song for Finns. I remember my mother, who lived her childhood in Karelia and had to leave and escape from the home of family because of cruel world war ll.

[@kimmikke_]

Finnish composer Jean Sibelius made this song/piece on the year 1899. It is unofficially Finlands 2nd national song usually played after the winning of world championships in athletes or in the end of the most famous movie of Finlands 2nd world war against Russia, the "Unknown soldier" that always is shown on TV on Finlands Independence Day. The original words are about praising the homeland Finland. Don't know about who has made these Lyrics, but sounded OK.

[@Piia2023]

It is played only to Olympic winners

[@kimmikke_]

@Piia2023 For example First Ice-Hockey World Championship Gold Metal 1995 they played it - not talking of some crappy YLE official TV broadcast thingi, but the festivities following. And if not filing a comma, the Olympic Winners are included in the level of World Championship winners..

[@Piia2023]

@@kimmikke_ sorry, wrong music, they play Porilaisten Marssi to Olympic gold, not Finlandia.

[@eerohorila1109]

Lots of problems here. The title. This is my song. Well no it is not. The lyrics are bland. Look up the original with subtitles. This is a song of a nation rising against tyrrany.

[@tainavihtkari3875]

Right. This was composed 1899 to Finnish nation's rise against tyranny of Russia (sortovuodet in Finnish). We fought our freedom finally 1944. My granddad died among the others in defending us. The best version is: YL Male Choir (consists of male students) conducted by Matti Hyökki

[@pamelakilponen3682]

I like the Finnish version that is translated in subtitles, it means so much more. Brings tears to my eyes every time. I love my adopted home!

[@divina2240]

Suomi Englanti Oi Suomi, katso, sinun päiväsi koittaa Yön uhka karkoitettu on jo pois Ja aamun lintu kirkkaudessa soittaa Kuin itse taivahan kansi soisi Yön vallat aamun valkeus jo voittaa Sinun päiväsi koittaa, oi synnyinmaani Oi nouse, Suomi ja nosta pääsi. Oi nouse, Suomi, näytit maailmalle että karkoitit orjuuden Ja ettet sinä taipunut sorron alle On aamusi alkanut, kotimaani Oh Finland, look, your day is coming The threat of the night banished is already gone And the morning bird in the brightness calls As if the roof of heaven itself was ringing The powers of the night, the light of the morning is already winning Your day is coming, O land of my birth Oh get up, Finland and raise your head. Oh stand up, Finland, you showed the world that you banished slavery And that you did not bend under the oppression Your morning has begun, my homeland 🇫🇮♥️

[@Mtaalas]

It's messed up that Finlandia hymn, written as a patriotic and rebellious poem against Russian empires occupation and brutality was "stolen" by some blokes in the USA and rewritten to christian hymn with no word of it left about what it was originally about. Many know the melody, have no idea of it's origins. Later we've gotten the redemption Sibelius deserved by people recognizing it what it is and learning the properly translated lyrics as well... thanks internet! But how can something, meant as a tool of rebellion against oppression, be so beautiful? But we as well as Chopin wrote songs against Russian empire. Revolutionary Etude as you very well might know, but viewers might not :)

[@tapio_m6861]

These lyrics are older than what the Finnish version that we use in Finland.

[@eijahakanen1538]

I love this song.❤.

[@HoseTheBeast]

When Jean Sibelius wrote this piece in 1899 we had never had a nation. Finland had never really been it’s own country. He wrote this song to raise that fire in finns to fight back the Russian oppression and free our selves from ”slavery”. It was often performed in secret or embedded into other musical performances and all the finns in the audience would rise up during it. It was actually punishable to play this in public. It feels weird when the lyrics are religious, the original ones are not they are just about finns and Finland.

[@JakeKilka]

Sibelius composed it, but Finnish lyrics are from V.A.Koskenniemi written in 1940, during the Winter War.

[@HoseTheBeast]

@@JakeKilka i know, I never said Sibelius wrote the lyrics.

[@annukkakiviranta4356]

I have lived my whole life in Finland and still I cry everytime I hear Finlandia.

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶🫶🫶

[@AnneMLdell]

samoin ... the same here@@StrateleStudios

[@hilkkahirvonen4831]

I’ve lived in Australia for 65 years (since I was10) and Finlandia always tears me up, especially Christmas time when I remember my childhood in Finland 🇫🇮 😢🎅🏻

[@onanisland5527]

As a Finn, this feels wrong. The idea of this whole hymn is nation's uprising against tyranny. Not this somewhat religious nonsense by Lloyd Stone. And Sibelius did not like the idea of somebody writing the lyrics at all. Eventually he gave up. "Well, if you want to sing it so sing it then". Currently used lyrics were written by Finnish poet V.A. Koskenniemi 1940.

[@hilkkahirvonen4831]

I agree 🇫🇮. This song is about Finland I never listen to the English version. Only a Finn can relate to this song 😢

[@amadeuz819]

Yep sounds odd and can't even hear their words. Here it sounds just perfect kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGq8eGV5gtOSesU

[@mikaveekoo]

Totta, tästä versiosta tulee paha mieli. Se loukkaa alkuperäistä teemaa.

[@Apriluser]

@@hilkkahirvonen4831 Why not allow for others see their own story/experience/situation in this music. Why so stingy?

[@jonnakatriina]

Ymmärrän täysin mitä tarkoitat! Itse olen silti sitä mieltä että on hienoa että tähän on voinut luoda sanat. Vaikka mieluummin olisin kuullut suomenkielisen version,tai että hän olisi sen kuunnellut. Silti tämä on hieno versio,jotta ihmiset ymmärtävät edes jotain😊

[@mantailuaa]

A fun fact. Finlandia-hymn has been nominated to be ”A National Anthem of The Whole World” by conductor Leopold Stokowski.

[@cliffdickson]

Wow, what a smooth performance. Absolutely beautiful.

[@Rackelhane]

I got goosbumps all over my finnish skin. Thank you!❤❤❤

[@Magga-f3z]

Kiitos.

[@rbmelk7083]

It’s great to hear more Sibelius and Voces8, this time in one performance:) Thank you Richard!

[@jarikinnunen1718]

This song show to me endless clear sky and finland forest, to me, with endless hard work for living here. These is all that is beauty of living here.

[@tainavihtkari3875]

And - always crying for the beautiness if this song.

[@Robert_Herring]

If you aren't moved by this,you might be dead. One of my favorite Blake arrangements.

[@StrateleStudios]

Exactly! 👏👏👏

[@heidifarstadkvalheim4952]

My mothers favorite song ❤.. as she was dying I played it for her💔.. think she called it Stjernesangen.. a bit shallow in English… … she always reminded me of the terrible times the Finnish people lived through

[@jansaijets4827]

Greetings from Finland! What a beautiful version and incredible singers! I really enjoyed listening to this.

[@StrateleStudios]

🎉👏🫶

[@DOC36121]

I heard them live a few years ago at the TMEA Convention in San Antonio, and they are the real thing! Beautiful rendition!

[@hanomazom9670]

Sounds like wind, waves, birds - and eternity.

[@StrateleStudios]

😍

[@Gittas-tube]

Hello there! While the choir sang beautifully, I regret having to say that the melody was altered in places (last notes sang 'down' instead of 'up') and so on. This weakened the melody and kind of muddled it. I wonder why this was done. Usually, when a classical piece is copied, it is customary not to alter the composer's work, and also to give credit to whomever has created the music. Because Finland has been in focus lately in the media, Finlandia has been played and commented on a lot on social media. The entire work has mostly been reduced to the choir portion, which is a pity. Not every Finlander is thrilled that the melody has been 'hijacked' by other countries and even by some questionable groups, because this work by our national composer Jean Sibelius is considered as our true national anthem, and as such it's not really acceptable that the Finlandia epos, stripped of its content and emotional meaning for us here in Finland, pops up in various circumstances. In the U.S. it has been changed into a psalm or hymn, and many Americans know it as such. The regrettable ignorance that many Americans have concerning most things outside the U.S. borders, made one listener on youtube wonder in earnest whether the Finlandia or the U.S. church hymn came first. Had the Finlandia actually 'stolen' the melody of the U.S. church hymn? I have to admit that I was a little upset by this. The lack of perspective just floored me. Well, I hope that by now the writer knows better... I apologize, if this comment has offended somebody -- and I hope that more people get to hear the best version of the entire Finlandia, including the proper translation of the lyrics into whatever language they want. 🎼🎶🎵🎶🏞️🌅

[@parker468]

kiitos, todella kaunista ! ja terveiset täältä suomesta.

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶🫶🫶

[@tonilaitinen5197]

This shows why the finnish people think Finlandia hymn was and is too important of a hymn to be "just" a national anthem. It is so much more. The way it moves people regardless of age, nationality, ethnicity, gender or social status is magical. In this form it could be the peace anthem for all mankind - if only it didn't have the slight religious tone. Just change the "O God of all the nations" to "O Mother/Father/Children of the nations" or "O Mother/Father/Children of all nations" and it would be universal. In memory of our recently passed former President and a Nobel peace prize winner Martti Ahtisaari, who helped the people of many nations under the same blue sky achieve peace together.

[@pen7759]

Yes. This brings emotions on. The most beautiful instrument of all is the human voice. This is beautifully and so well done, that this does justice to one of the best composers ever, Sibelius. No problem for me, it´s done in English, the result justifies it all. No wonder I got some moist in my eyes. Thank you, and greets from Finland.

[@marcopeters1633]

I had exactly the same reaction as you did. It is sooooo gooood what they are doing. The harmonies are fantastic. It is really touching my heart every time I listen to it (and this is already many many times).

[@Habitatti]

The Finlandia Hymn is the most beautiful song in the world. As a Finn, I've heard it a thousand times and every time it brings tears nonetheless.

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶🫶🫶

[@ericwedin4154]

Sibelius is not just any old composer, a national treasure for our brother nation Finland. Great stuff and in this case extremely well performed! 😊 and fun to see you choke up 😂👍

[@tainavihtkari3875]

This is my reason to be a proud Finn. Sibelius and Finlandia!

[@TerryFGM]

a song? pathetic.

[@pirkkosalo-gl1ko]

❤❤❤❤tämä musiikki saa aina kyyneleet aikaan.upeaa.hyvä Suomi❤❤❤❤

[@pirkkosalo-gl1ko]

Kiitos että pidät tästä upeasta kappaleesta💕isänmaa niiiin Rakas♥️♥️♥️

[@4absentfriends]

I am a sucker for choral harmony and boy . . . this touches the heart. Exquisite.

[@ogKalmari]

This was great version, but as a finn I appreciate more the less modern versions for choirs.

[@jm-holm]

Controversial, especially among Finns. No matter how good or bad this version is, to me it's still practically sacrilege to completely rewrite the most important music piece in Finnish history.

[@oldtimer7635]

"Controversial, especially among Finns." what do you mean?

[@jm-holm]

@@oldtimer7635 That some Finns appreciate our music being used in this fashion internationally, while others absolutely hate it and think it's near criminal and extremely insulting to rewrite our most important national song with lyrics that have nothing to do with the original.

[@oldtimer7635]

​@@jm-holm What I appriciate is the music by Sibelius. The lyrics by V A Koskenniemi are outdated anyways (IMO), we have since moved on. The song has no official status, thus I personally don't mind at all someone to rewrite lyrics more suitable for today. Original (Koskenniemi) is still there, no worries. Btw, there are few different not so well known versions of the lyrics in Finnish as well, earlier than Koskenniemi's.

[@jm-holm]

@@oldtimer7635 Yes, you personally. That's why I stated the 2 very different views and called it controversial. That's quite literally what that word means. Personally I think pretty much the opposite of you. I think the hymn should be our national anthem. In fact even lacking any official status, I think it IS our true national anthem. There's no song that I think is more important for our nation and its identity. Therefore I do not like "remakes" of it, even if they sound nice. I think it's too sacred and too important for somebody else to take it and give it an entirely different meaning or even religious connotations. You can translate it, that's fine, but I don't appreciate changing the entire meaning and message.

[@oldtimer7635]

@@jm-holm I am not quite sure that if you don't like something, makes the concept "controversial"? Claiming something controversial requires a bit more general discussion. Let's say, you personally just don't like it, right. And as I said earlier, Koskenniemi's super patriotic version of the lyrics, suitable at the time, aren't even the "original". Let's move on.

[@66rocker]

as a Finn, this always brings tears to my eyes and above all in the Finnish language

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶

[@goranlilja5684]

PROUD to be A FINN,,,,,,,

[@dbcanada]

Thanks, Jeff. A brilliant and moving performance. I was also admiring the skill required just to _memorize_ the inner harmony parts.

[@StrateleStudios]

😃👏👏👏🫶

[@zzpazi]

Stumbled upon this reaction on the night of the Finnish independence day. Got me too.

[@LalliPallero]

I couldn't make out half the lyrics, I only know the finnish ones. Still a great version, it's hard to make it sound bad, it's just that good. Happy independence day Finland! Also thanks for the reaction, always happy to see Finland represented :) EDIT: Also It's a life hack to start up in youtube to react to everything finnish, finns take pride in everything theirs and like to see other's reactions to everything finnish. Seen couple channels grow just by doing that :'D Just a side note/suggestion.

[@marinaa.6140]

Thank you❤🇫🇮

[@birgittalagerstrom6264]

OMG! Thank you for showing this. I never heard of them. I have to hear more! ❤❤ It's so beautiful to listen to mens voices when they are this clear.

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶🫶🫶

[@andreadee1567]

In your last Voces8 reaction you described how you experienced their music almost visual and asked us to talk about our experience. It was an interesting question and I needed some time to figure it out. Hope you don’t mind that I found the answer just today: Usually, I am a very visual oriented person. I paint, design and even when I am listening to music it easily gets full of pictures of dancing people, landscapes, paintings and so on. But listening to Voces8 (and some other choirs or (neo-)classical music) is completely different. It finds its way around my overactive creative brain directly to my heart. I start to cry immediately. Surprisingly without any visuals! Today I thought it is not even my heart alone. Every time they do their perfect dissonance it is as it they are reaching into my mind and open a realm to somewhere else. Vibrating it open, so to speak. A realm that it closed or that I am not aware of in my daily life and it is so important for me to be remembered. I love that Blake arranged himself a little solo part in the beginning. I love his voice. Thanks for all your reactions to Voces8 and thanks Richard for bringing them to us.

[@StrateleStudios]

Beautifully said!

[@miikaDV20]

Thank you so much! 🥰 Greetings from Finland

[@StrateleStudios]

🎉👏🫶

[@finnishculturalchannel]

Ah yes, Biafran national anthem "Land of the Rising Sun". Sibelius didn't mean Finlandia to be sang, but he said, that on the other hand he can't stop that from happening. Several poems/lyrics have been written for the hymn. A Finnish American journalist and musician Yrjö Sjöblom wrote his lyrics in 1919, perhaps reminiscing the Finnish Civil War. The Finnish American choirs performed the hymn with these lyrics: "Joel Hallikainen - Finlandia hymni". Lloyd Stone and Georgia Harkness wrote 'This Is My Song' poem for the hymn in 1934. Here's the hymn performed as a flashmob in Helsinki Central Railway Station with V. A. Koskenniemi's poem, which he wrote after the Winter War in 1940: "MieskuoroPekka Flashmob Finlandia". Here's the entire piece: "Sibelius - Finlandia op. 26 (Opening of the new Helsinki music hall)".

[@pirtukirkko]

Hi from Finland. I was born in Hameenlinna and Jean Sibelius too. i love this song :)

[@yuomovaeh3028]

This harmonies might be a bit jazzier in this version than the original but it sounds very nice. It's cool to see Finlandia being heard elsewhere too besides Finland!

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶🫶🫶

[@tuijakarttunen9164]

Thank you so much for introducing this group to me with the most beautiful melody line in the world.

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶

[@LostBoys530]

today is Finland 106 Independence Day year 🥰 thank you for reaction ,sounds amazing but with band it gives even more specially drums give that dramatic but i love this version allso

[@miljahakkinen6784]

This is out nationalsong....so proud of it❤greetings from Finland.....it was great❤chils in my spine❤

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶🫶🫶

[@MilaMan]

I, as a Finn, hats off. This is The song we all Finns love and know.

[@StrateleStudios]

👏👏👏🫶

[@jalppa77]

No matter where, no matter when, this song wiil alleays give me goosebumbs. And proud of my country.

[@StrateleStudios]

👏🫶

[@miquel78]

The mansion where Jean Sibelius stayed during he composed this song and few others is for sale. I live near that house and if I just had the cash to buy it... Woah! I love this song and the mansion is just awesome

[@Thevikingcam]

This was one thing that kept our country live after the war with russia. No matter what, life will win…..❤

[@mikkosnellman]

As a Finn, I know the history behind this song and this version, though well performed, don´t do justice to the original.

[@wanmac31]

🤘😊🇫🇮💙🪄🎼✨👍 Edit ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇫🇮

[@ClandOp]

Great analysis. Your comments about close intervals is so accurate -- and the resolution of the dissonance between the intervals is so key to this performance. And when you talk about the "women's voices", don't forget that the contra tenor adds an incredible dimension to the alto line.

[@cathryncortissoz4575]

can't get enough of Voces8...

[@wilksy2008]

Let’s. Gooo!! 💖

[@tinamarley3295]

This is beautiful 😊I could listen all day❤❤❤❤

[@kristalaine1896]

My Finnish blood is in awe. I am not crying, you are.

[@StrateleStudios]

😂🤣😂👏❤️

[@user-vu8lt9nd5l]

This song is in the Finns' genes and the love for the country is strong. It's my first time listening to this wonderful composition with English lyrics. I don't really know how to react, but maybe I'll get used to it, or maybe I won't.

[@kipponi]

Yes the whole harmony/timber is most important. I have been in choir Finland bass/baritone and it is hard to sing your own part when near you sing different pitches. It is focus thing. Choir singing is most beautiful thing when all locks right. This was one of our men's choir songs❤.

[@teijaalanko5165]

I love this my Country song. Very very much🇫🇮🕊🕊🌳🌲🍃🍃🍃🍃🌲🌅☁️⛅❤〰️〰️〰️〰️🎼🔉🔉🔊❤Thank you this. Nice you too like this song. 👋🌅

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶🫶🫶

[@teijaalanko5165]

@@StrateleStudios .🎼〰️〰️〰️🕊🕊💕👋

[@Magga-f3z]

Sibelius -Finlandia op.26 ( Opening of the new Helsinki music hall )

[@0701369]

After watching this i must say... Its good to be a Finn🇫🇮

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶🫶🫶

[@Roosa612]

❤

[@Hari-dq1jg]

This one works allways❤🇫🇮

[@StrateleStudios]

🫶🫶🫶

[@hannadegerlund3227]

🇫🇮❤

[@Piia2023]

The song itself is so beautiful and this was beautiful, but I didn't hear much of what they sang, the lyrics in English.

[@maritaulmanen8793]

❤❤❤Upeeta kiitos

[@Electronite1978]

As a side note - The national anthem of Finland is called "Maamme", "Our Land" in English. From time to time there are debates in Finland if Finlandia should actually replace Maamme song as our national Anthem. Personally would vouch for it.

[@lintu25]

Who are those, and how they know Finnish song. WOW!

[@PeeVee1979]

Not sure about this version. I usually get choked up when I hear the song just like every Finniah person, but this didn't do anything for me. Might be the language, don't know. For a proper and a full version you should try this instead: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGbdmJKXm56VbsUsi=mLBe1mKM2kY3iaE-

[@AnneMLdell]

Anne Margareta Lindell, greetings from Finland. This song is a part of Jean Sibelius "Finlandia" symphony and known here as the name "Oi, nouse Suomi" Oh, rise Finland). Oi nouse Suomi is our earth´s guardian angels "Sanat Kumara"´s song ... earth´s song. How Sibelius got the melody is an other story. That the reason you get the tears ... you soul remember the melody... you all remember.

[@tinamarley3295]

Take a look at Pentatonix ,an acapella group,listen to hallelujah,no instruments just voice,it’s unbelievable ❤❤

[@tippikuppi]

If my memory serves me right "Finlandia" was a middle part of 3 piece opus Sibelius composed to a support event 1899 after Imperial Russia had started what we call the First Opperssion, 1899-1905, here in Finland. Several Newspapers were canselled, as well as Finnish postmarks and currency. Finlands position as an autonomous state, with it's own legistlation was threaten. Russian officials found "Finlandia" so powerfull that it soon ended up among those things that were banned.

[@anzuhu]

Theis song is touching song in all versions. This song is best to represents our struggle for independence against Russian oppression from looooong time, hundreds of years. This sing tell our feelings at all. It is one of the Sibelius beautest compositions. (I hope, i wrote that all understable in English...)@

[@DNA350ppm]

You did!

[@jukkaseppanen1243]

Mestari teos.

[@Aragnath]

I am proud to be a Finn. Today is our independence day. (6.12.1917)

[@petritamminen7146]

🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮♥️♥️🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮

[@merjakotisaari9046]

Helsingin kamariorkesteri , Finlandia

[@katherineeasteal662]

Thanks. I haven't heard any Voces 8 for a while and had forgotten how superb they can sound. I also appreciate their timelessness. Speaking of harmonies, I suggest you look at the South Korean crossover male quartet Forestella. Superb harmonies again. Try Scarborough Fair, Hijo De La Luna or Je Suis Malade.

[@Pertit-c1c]

I like lot that you have found the basically the grandsong of the Finnish symphonic power metal from 1899. What I mean can bee seen - > Jarkko Ahola & Waltteri Torikka - Finlandia (Hartwall Arena) kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3qUinadf5KIbNE Present lyrics are from 1940. If the song sound good, the lyrics hit 10 000 time more in your soul, when understanding the meaning of them.

[@anttirask7877]

I was in the choir at that Jarkko Ahola & Waltteri Torikka concert. It was a fun evening and it’s always nice to get to sing Sibelius!

[@Pertit-c1c]

Hyvin vedetty - harvinaisen hyvin@@anttirask7877

[@jeremymcmahon3863]

Love your reactions. Curious if you’ve gotten any requests for Voctave reactions. If you like Voces8 I think you’d like Voctave too.

[@StrateleStudios]

I have not 😊

[@tarjaikola]

I scrolled throug your videos and didn’t see any reactions to Home Free, world’s first all vocal country band. They can actually do any genre, but country is their niche. You can take any of their songs, but as I’m supposed to suggest something: -Man of Constant Sorrow -End of the Road -Sea Shanty Medley Thanks a lot reacting to this beautiful Finnish song which we love very much.

[@ristotakkala4188]

Suomi - Finlandia

[@Xmies23]

Is this the same Blake Morgan who produces Janita? If so, I can appreciate the connection

[@annebonner1440]

What a wonderful version ! Great choir! First time I heard it in other than Finnish. Thank you for this experience.

[@StrateleStudios]

👏👏👏🫶🫶🫶

[@sweper]

Fantastic!

[@Coastal15]

Have you heard their The Saddest Noise (with orchestra) from The Lost Birds by Christopher Tin, it's definitely not to be missed.

[@timohuhtakangas2458]

😢😢😢

[@TheChiesa]

This is a bunch of very talented singers, can't deny that, but... The choral part of Sibelius' Finlandia became a symbol of Finnish nationalism at a time when the country was still known as a Grand Duchy under Russia, and it is regarded as the unofficial second national anthem of Finland. When you start tampering with compositions (let alone lyrics) of such weight, the result is bound to be second-rate. Compared to the original (from the pen of a world-wide acknowledged composer), this 'version' is, to my ear, far too soft, dreamy and downright messy in its tonality. Sorry, not my cup of tea.

[@oldtimer7635]

Thank you, behalf of all us Finns.

[@JaZZu777]

As a Finn i have to say this is not Finlandia Hymni at least not for me. Every time i hear it in Finnish my eyes tear up and i get goosebumps. They got nice voices but singing it in English doesn't do justice to the song and what it means to Finnish people.

[@amadeuz819]

As a Finn this sounded odd, like the "music" is as good but I can't even hear what they sing and that is why I like the one with song better because of the words. You need to compare it with the real version, also the original Sibelius version. Like they did the "music" right but the song text "drowned" so it annoyed me when I had to put all my concentration on trying to listen to the words.

[@mrwalter1049]

This was pretty yes but really lacked any real emotional impact for me. I've never liked these religious versions of compositions with strong ties to Finnish national ideology.

[@Make573]

OK, This is meant to be sing with and on sync wirh the actual orchestral composition, definetly not on it's own!!! In order to understand the meanin behind thea whole performance you need to understand the following: Sibelius himself didn't even like the idea of lyrics on the first place, but gave his ok for the performance. Not to mension this particular composition is National Treasure for us Finnish and it's used only for our independence celebratory purposes.🇫🇮

[@hognas]

Do not do this to Finlandia. It's just wrong. I feel violated as probably most Finns would.

[@ExecutiveSonda]

These lyrics always annoyed me. Finlandia is an important piece of Finnish history and this is just religion hijacking the melody and replacing its original meaning by pasting its own lyrics on it.