The cuckoo is likely best known for both its distinct call and unique approach to parenthood, which involves leaving its eggs in the nests of other birds. It’s inspired everything from clocks to rightwing slurs, and is referenced in such Shakespeare plays as All’s Well That Ends Well, Henry IV and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It has also been the subject of many folk songs and lullabies through the centuries.
Finnish violinist Veera Kuisma, who earned a Master’s degree in Folk Music from the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, has embroidered “Käkilintu (Cuckoo Bird),” an age-old lullaby that features lyrics from the different regions of Finland, with a rhythmic string quartet and brass. The lyrics are in Finnish, of course, yet much like the cuckoo’s call, one need not speak the language to appreciate the song’s beauty. It’s quite cool.
In addition to herself, the song features Antti Järvelä (violin, guitar), Veera Luomala (cello), Ape Anttila (double bass), Minsku Tammela (voice), Elias Frigård (soprano saxophone), Devina Boughton (trumpet), and Vilho Louhivuori (drums). Kuisma herself played the five-string violin and harmonium.
It’s the first of three tracks from an upcoming EP; I look forward to listening to it in full.
The Old Grey Cat 