Here is a Finnish lied ("Jänkä"), written by Kilpinen, one of Finland's greatest composers, and performed by Finland's greatest opera singer, the formidable Martti Talvela. Martti Talvela (1935 – 1989) had a Wagnerian bass voice of uncommon power and richness. He made his operatic debut in Helsinki in 1960. At 6 ft 7 in (201 cm), he was the tallest singer of his century. He was especially acclaimed as the hero in Boris Godunov and as Pimen from the same work, as Paavo Ruotsalainen in Viimeiset Kiusaukset, as a Wagner singer (King Marke, Hunding, Fasolt, Fafner and Titurel), as Sarastro and as Prince Gremin. As his final record he left, terribly thinned out by illness, a warm and heartfelt version of Schubert's Winterreise. He had one of the most remarkable bass voices in opera history: the combination of depth and timbre made him stand out in every part he sung, and his bass seemed to extend effortlessly without the "break" that most basses have to resort to hit their low notes.
Enjoy the talent of Martti Talvela, the greatest singer of the beautiful Finland!
