Martti Pokela

Martti Eliel Pokela (23 January 1924 – 23 August 2007) was a Finnish folk musician and composer.[1] Pokela was an expert with the kantele, Finland's national musical instrument.[1][2][3][4]

Martti Pokela
Martti with his wife Marjatta in 1965
Born
Martti Eliel Pokela

(1924-01-23)23 January 1924
Haapavesi, Finland
Died23 August 2007(2007-08-23) (aged 83)
Helsinki, Finland
Occupation(s)Musician, educator
Known forMusic for kantele

Life and career

Pokela and his wife, Marjatta Pokela, were widely credited with ushering in a revival in interest in Finnish folk music beginning in the 1950s.[1][5] Their daughter, Eveliina Pokela, began performing with them in the 1960s.[1][2]

Pokela merged traditional Finnish folk music with contemporary sounds. The family's albums have also been released outside of Finland.[1]

Pokela taught kantele playing at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and Kuopio until 1987.[1] He was the founder of the academy's folk music department, where he was named a full professor in 1980.[1][2]

He is buried in the Hietaniemi Cemetery in Helsinki.[6]

  • Performing with Marjatta at Seurasaari in 1959
    Performing with Marjatta at Seurasaari in 1959
  • Together with Marjatta and Eveliina performing in a television studio, on the show Nylands Hörna in 1966
    Together with Marjatta and Eveliina performing in a television studio, on the show Nylands Hörna in 1966
  • Martti performing with his wife Martta for an audience at the courtyard of the National Museum of Finland in 1966
    Martti performing with his wife Martta for an audience at the courtyard of the National Museum of Finland in 1966
  • Their daughter Eveliina having joined them
    Their daughter Eveliina having joined them
  • Family grave at Hietaniemi Cemetery
    Family grave at Hietaniemi Cemetery

Albums
  • Keskiyön Auringon Lauluja (1969)
  • Best of Kantele (1995)
  • Sonata For Kantele (1996)
  • Snow Kantele (1998)
  • "Tuulikumpu" (2001)
  • Improsette by Martti Pokela (2005)

See also

References
  1. "Finland's Kantele Master Martti Pokela Dies". YLE. 2007-08-23. Retrieved 2007-09-18.
  2. Jalkanen, Pekka (27 August 2007). "Pokela, Martti (1924 - 2007)". Kansallisbiografia. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  3. "Kansanmuusikko Martti Pokela on kuollut". Ilta-Sanomat. 23 August 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  4. Lång, Markus; Väänänen, Timo (1993). "Martti Pokelan konserttikantelesävellyksistä". Musiikkitiede. 5 (2): 67–83. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  5. Juvonen, Päivi. "Marjatta Pokela". Pomus. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  6. "Hietaniemen hautausmaa – merkittäviä vainajia" (PDF). Helsingin seurakuntayhtymä. Retrieved 27 August 2016.


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