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Cantio Laudis (Latin: song of thanks) is a mixed choir of Karjasilla parish in Oulu, which was founded in 2006. Choir conductor Olli Heikkilä has been the artistic director of the choir since its foundation. About 40 music enthusiasts and students sing in the choir, who are united by the desire to make goal-oriented music.
The Cantio Laudis choir plays an important role in the musical life of the Karjasilla parish. The choir enriches the worship life and prepares music for different stages of the church year. The choir's repertoire mainly consists of classical and spiritual choral music as well as major church music works.
Cantio Laudis cooperates with various orchestras, including the Oulun Kamariorkesteri (Oulu Chamber Orchestra), and the church musicians of the Oulu region. Over the years, Cantio Laudis has given concerts together with several Finnish instrumental and vocal artists, and the choir has performed a wide range of key church music works (including J.S. Bach's Matthäus-Passion BWV 244 and Johannes-Passion BWV 245 and cantatas, George Frideric Handel's Messiah oratorio, Johannes Brahms's German Requiem, W.A. Mozart's Requiem and Great Mass in C minor and Felix Mendelssohn's Elijah oratorio). Cantio Laudis has also premiered the Pietari-oratorio (composed by Antti Heikkilä, voiced by Niilo Rauhala) and the 12 hetkeä -passiota (composed by Seppo Paakkunainen, voiced by Eeva Vainio), commissioned by the Karjasilla parish.
Cantio Laudis has produced two self-published CD's: in 2016 the recording "Voitta valo" containing Christmas carols was released and in 2020 "Rukous" containing prayers sung for different moments. On the occasion of Finland's Independence Day in 2021, Cantio Laudis released the album "Honkain keskellä" containing Finnish, mainly national romantic choral music to streaming services. The album was later supplemented in 2022 and 2023.
The goal of the Cantio Laudis choir is to make high-quality music, and the driving force is the joy of singing together. The choir sings students and professionals of different ages, from different life situations, from different fields, who are united by the love of singing and the desire to also convey the wonderful joy and power of music to the listeners. In the choir, each singer, in their own important place, is part of a large, live instrument played by the artistic director. The choir members hope that the music itself should speak to the listener. |
