Rajaton. The word is Finnish for “boundless” and how accurate it is in regards to this great vocal ensemble. The group has performed everywhere and in almost every venue, from concert halls to churches to jazz festivals worldwide. Their musical repertoire is also vast and varied, ranging from sacred classical to contemporary pop, (their cover of The Beatles’ “Lady Madonna” is a personal favourite) and it is all sung with their signature flare.
The Finnish vocal group was founded in 1997 in Helsinki and is composed of six amazing singers from diverse musical backgrounds. Many of the members play several instruments in addition to their singing, from typical instruments like piano and violin, to the harmonium or the kantele and all are virtuoso performers, with the ability to imitate the sounds of many different instruments such as trumpets and guitars, both electric and acoustic.
Relatively unknown in Canada outside of classical music circles, the group is a regular pop sensation in Finland, having released ten different albums, all reaching a status of gold or higher in their native country. Rajaton is proud of their heritage and is influenced greatly by it, often singing folk music or original works with a noticeable Finnish sound.
To this day the group continues to grow. Their latest release is a compilation album, The Best of 1999-2009, featuring their best songs of the past decade. They have also collaborated with other a capella groups such as The King's Singers and The Real Group, and have done productions with film directors and choreographers.
Rajaton is almost an anomaly in contemporary music, a unique group featuring extremely talented musicians, and Woburn Music is very lucky to again have the opportunity witness this group live and at our school. They are truly inspiring and show that the possibilities for musical expression are endless... or should we say “boundless”.
