1. The Norwegian choral ensemble Cantus was formed in 1986 by a group of young women who wanted to take control of their own performances. The group, consisting of 30 amateur singers, is based in Tronheim and led by Tove Ramlo-Ystad, who joined as a singer and has become the group's director. Cantus typically performs arrangement of classical and contempary works, and has crossed over into jazz, folk, and pop music.
The group credits its participation in choral competitions with sharpening its focus and raising the quality of its performances.
Cantus has become an international sensation because of its inclusion on the soundtracks of both Disney films Frozen I and II, featuring the tracks Vuelie and Reindeer Circle, written by Frode Fjellheim and Christophe Beck.
2. Originally founded at St. Olaf College, Cantus is now a nine person male vocal ensemble based in Minneapolis. They sing a wide variety of vocal music, and have performed in some innovative theater pieces as well.
3. Cantus from Lithuania, making some mixture of Christian and Lithuanian folk music.
Finlandia-Hymni
Cantus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yön uhka karkoitettu on jo pois,
Ja aamun kiuru kirkkaudessa soittaa,
Kuin itse taivahan kansi sois'.
Yön vallat aamun valkeus jo voittaa,
Sun päiväs′ koittaa, oi synnyinmaa.
Oi, nouse, Suomi, nosta korkealle,
Oi, nouse, Suomi, näytit maailmalle,
Sa että karkoitit orjuuden,
Ja ettet taipunut sa sorron alle,
On aamus' alkanut, synnyinmaa.
The lyrics to Cantus's song Finlandia-Hymni express pride and hope for the nation of Finland. The first stanza speaks of the arrival of a new day, with the threat of darkness vanquished and the morning lark singing as if the heavens themselves were rejoicing. The second stanza encourages Finland to rise up, to hold its great history high, and to celebrate its triumph over oppression. The phrase "onn aamun koittanut" (your day has dawned) is repeated throughout the song, reinforcing the theme of new beginnings and a bright future for Finland.
Line by Line Meaning
Oi, Suomi, katso, sinun päiväs′ koittaa,
Oh Finland, look, your day is dawning
Yön uhka karkoitettu on jo pois,
The darkness of night has been banished
Ja aamun kiuru kirkkaudessa soittaa,
And the morning lark sings in brightness
Kuin itse taivahan kansi sois'.
As if the very sky were ringing.
Yön vallat aamun valkeus jo voittaa,
The power of the night is already won by the light of dawn,
Sun päiväs′ koittaa, oi synnyinmaa.
Your day is dawning, oh birthland.
Oi, nouse, Suomi, nosta korkealle,
Oh Finland, rise up, lift up high
Pääs' seppelöimä suurten muistojen.
Your head crowned with great memories.
Oi, nouse, Suomi, näytit maailmalle,
Oh Finland, rise up, you have shown the world
Sa että karkoitit orjuuden,
That you have banished slavery,
Ja ettet taipunut sa sorron alle,
And you did not bow down to oppression,
On aamus' alkanut, synnyinmaa.
A new morning has begun, oh birthland
Writer(s): Jean Sibelius
Contributed by Michael H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.