The "Tapiola Sound" as critics have named the music of Finland's Tapiola children's choir, has been praised for its excellence, adventurousness and for its distinctive sound. Forty-two years after its founding, the Tapiola Choir has become one of the most renowned children's and youth choirs in the world.
During its first concert in Warsaw, the 31-member choir performed a number of pieces from various corners of the globe. In the first part of the show, the choir took the listeners on an auditory journey to the folk-music-filled fields of Finland, the islands of Japan as well as to a Maori village. The choir also performed several traditional dances. In the second part the choir sang some of the world's best-known carols, such as: Who has heard the angels sing?, Stille Nacht (Silent Night) and the Polish Gdy śliczna Panna (As the Lovely Maiden). However, this performance only gave a small peek into the choir's abilities. "The repertoire of the choir is very versatile," said Margit Hovi, the choir's manager. "It is common for the choir to perform both classical concert music as well as folk music. Many Finnish and foreign composers have composed for this choir. It is characteristic for the choir that besides singing in the performances, there is also movement and instrumental music. All the members of the choir play at least one instrument and often instrumental ensembles gathered of choristers accompany the singing," she added. The choir regularly performs abroad and sings in over 40 languages. It has become a tradition for the choir to sing in the native language of the country in which they happen to be performing. Critics often emphasize that while singing and playing the children create a special atmosphere which is then transmitted onto the audience. Such was the atmosphere of closeness in Warsaw, especially in the final part of the concert when, with the lights dimmed, the children surrounded the audience and sang a lullaby carol. The Tapiola Choir came to Poland upon the invitation of the Embassy of Finland and the Scandinavian-Polish Chamber of Commerce.
