Tapiola Choir specific parts from the review published in the Times 29 September 2003:

World Voice
Queen Elieth Hall

* * * * *

Richard Morrison

"First up was the amazing Tapiola Choir. It's a Finnish children's ensemble, whose members not only sing - often in eight-part harmony, from memory - but also dance or turn themselves into a folk fiddle band.

The repertoire specially written for them by Scandinavian composers used all sorts of wacky vocal techniques: jibbering, barking, glissandos, squeacks, even heavy breathing. It generates evoked primordial legends, and often incorporated ancient chants. These virtuoso numbers were interspersed with genuine folk songs. Whatever they sang, however, these remarcable children utilized beguiling, unforced timbres and put the music across with spellbinding vivacity.

What's more, most numbers were delivered with the choir's director, Kari Ala-Pöllänen, sitting in the audience. His admirable philosophy is that the children themselves take responsibility for co-ordinating the performance. A wonderful example to those children's choirs which give the impression that they exist for the greater glory of their conductors."

Note. Parts relating to the festival in general and to the second part of the twin concert featuring the Rossica Choir have been omitted.