photo: Minna Leinonen

for string quartet 

duration appr. 6 minutes

Finland is the swampiest country in the world, which gave its name to the work. The word also refers to a resonating sound ("I would play") and allowance ("I would allow") in Finnish. 

In this work, the swamp reflects opposites that can combine with each other and coexist.  Swamp is neither land nor water, but both: an element where these two meet. In folklore, the swamp is associated with something unknown and unconscious, a hidden, forgotten memory of the earth. In different times, swamp has symbolized our fears and dislikes, but also what we value and respect. The swamp has also been used to describe the ultimate human emotions: when you have hard times, you wallow in the swamp or sink into the bottomless bog, and when you win difficulties, you arise from the swamp. This contrast is one material of the work, following its own dramaturgy.

Soisin was co-commissioned by Kaustinen Chamber Music Week 2025 and Katrina Kammarmusik 2025. 

Thank you for supporting Soisin: Finnish Culture Foundation and Svenska Kulturfonden.

Review

Soisin contains violent, rapid outbursts and sudden changes, on the one hand, and a serene, delicate sound on the other. This dichotomy continues throughout the work.

Leinonen knows how to get different sounds out of a string quartet and a human being. The Valo Quartet played the piece skilfully. Perhaps the work could be thought of as an organic process in which the battle of life's opposing forces continues, always, in a new form"

- Anni Saari, Keski-Pohjanmaan sanomat 31st January 2025

Performances

6th August 2025 Katrina kammarmusikfestival, Åland

Cuarteto Quiroga:

Aitor Hevia, violin

Cibrán Sierra, violin

Josep Puchades, viola

Helena Poggio, cello

30.1.2025 19.00 Kaustinen-sali, Kansantaiteenkeskus

Soisin (F.p.)

Valo quartet:

Maria Włoszczowska, violin

Tim Crawford, violin

Lilli Maijala, viola

Amy Norrington, cello