DescriptionEnsemble Gamut! has quickly emerged as one of Finland’s most interesting ensembles that move fluidly between genres. Led by Aino Peltomaa, they have created their unique sound by combining elements of medieval music, Finnish folk songs, improvisation, original compositions and electronic soundscapesThe name MI refers to the Arctic flower Micranthes stellaris, and to Peltomaa’s composition Mieli meni (“And so the Mind Went”). MI is also the third note of the Gamut scale (ut, re, mi).The theme of the album is Arctic endangered flowers and the mental states that sprout from them. In addition to the flower-themed compositions by the powerful medieval women Hildegard von Bingen and Birgitta Birgersdotter, Aino Peltomaa’s compositions and lyrics bring together the intangible and tangible eras of our living environment, our home. Lost, rediscovered. Destroyed, vanished, rescued.On this album Peltomaa and Ensemble Gamut! have invited two guests: sound artist Tuomas Norvio and visual artist Vappu Rossi. Through their contributions we get to enjoy new possibilites of live electronics on this release. Norvio manipulates the sounds of Vappu Rossi’s drawing in real time, merging melodies and drawings inspired by Arctic flowers into a soundscape where the planes of time, the living, the dead, history, the present moment, the past and the future all resonate simultaneously. Ensemble Gamut!: Aino Peltomaa | voice, medieval harp, kantele, percussions, artistic direction Ilkka Heinonen | jouhikko, voice, electronics Juho Myllylä | blockflutes, voice, electronicsTuomas Norvio | live electronics Vappu Rossi | live large-scale drawing
