Minna Padilla & The Helsinki Koto Ensemble

New Exciting Koto Inspired Music From Finland!The music of The Helsinki Koto Ensemble is influenced both by Finnish folk music and Japanese koto tradition. A melodic and gentle feeling defines Minna Padilla's compositions, which delicately combine the sounds of Finnish kantele and the 13-stringed koto. The different backgrounds of the six musicians bring colours from folk, jazz, rock and pop into the music, and arrangements also leave room for improvisation and variation. The ensemble was established in 2003. The lyrics are Japanese poetry from the 9th century to the 19th centuries, translated into Finnish by Kai Nieminen and G.J.Ramstedt. The Helsinki Koto Ensemble has combined music also to silhouette images (made by Minna Padilla) that were shown live with music during the concerts in Finland and Japan. Minna Padilla & The Helsinki Koto Ensemble's first CD "Ilta vuorella" (Night on the mountain) was released in November 2007.