Ylioppilaskunnan Laulajat

YL Male Voice Choir is a Finnish pioneer of choral music. YL, founded within the Helsinki University in 1883, is Finland’s oldest Finnish language choir. The choir still continues its independent and versatile work. YL’s cultural merits, long history of concerts, several tours abroad and numerous critically acclaimed recordings have established the choir as one of the most prominent male choirs in the world. Since its birth, YL has recognised its responsibility in commissioning, performing and recording Finnish and foreign choral music. Most of Jean Sibelius’ most famous works for male choir were commissioned and premiered by YL. Today the choir is known as Sibelius’ natural standard-bearer and a pioneer of contemporary music. Einojuhani Rautavaara is one of the contemporary composers who have dedicated many works for YL. YL gives concerts regularly all around Finland and vigorously exports Finnish art to the European, American and Asian continents. In addition to its versatile a cappella repertoire YL performs works for accompanied male choir with the worlds’ most noteworthy orchestras and conductors. Numerous famous soloists of classical and popular music have made guest appearances in the choir’s concerts and on its recordings. YL’s Christmas concerts have become an important tradition for both the choir and the audience; each year the concerts bring about 12 000 listeners to the churches of Helsinki. YL is conducted by Doctor of Music Matti Hyökki. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.