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To get an ensemble like this to make the music is a real jackpot for any performance. Johanna Juhola is not only one of our leading accordion artists but a charismatic performer as well.
Tove Djupsjöbacka, Huvudstadsbladet 15.9.2009 (review of Tango Roto show with Johanna Juhola Reaktori)
The best part of this tango show is the orchestra. A tip for friends of Argentinean tango Nuevo: the band in the Tango Roto show is excellent. Johanna Juhola Reaktori performs the compositions of Johanna Juhola and Milla Viljamaa with phenomenal skill and wonderful passion.
Mika Saarelainen, Helsingin Sanomat 14.9.2009 (Tango Roto show review)
Kraft is a collaboration of two virtuosos, Johanna Juhola (accordions) and Pekka Kuusisto (violin). Hence, their playing is super skilled, dancing around technical pitfalls. The combination of a classically singing violin and a tight rap tempo in `One MC, one delay´ is especially exhilarating. The duo’s swing challenges the original Don Johnson Big Band whose vocalist Tommy Lindgren features in this screwball arrangement. As if in passing, the album has gulped down some tango and polska too. Quite a debut.
Pirkko Kotirinta, Helsingin Sanomat 7.3.2009 (Kraft: "Max Höjd" album review)
These super-skilled musicians make genuine, original entertainment as they venture from the fields of accordion and violin to any sounds or genres of music…Johanna Juhola plays Kraft’s contemporary-ethnic-jazz-prog-fusion as her native language, and playing live she takes a great deal of responsibility for the rhythm, harmony, and bass lines. Pekka Kuusisto lets his mischievous nature loose and fills the room with sounds and ideas.
Kare Eskola, Rondo 3/2009 (Kraft: "Max Höjd" album review)
From the first notes of Max Höjd it is made clear that one must give up any hope for defining the genre of this music. It is like impressionistic, cinematic, musical fireworks that flies too high to even try to get a grip of. The two artists abandon themselves to the game called music without shame. Max Höjd is a package of breathtaking virtuosity that makes even the mini grand piano exude professionalism. A mood album capable of changing one’s mood.
Jimmy Träskelin, Pelimanni magazine February 2009 (Kraft: "Max Höjd" album review)
The musicians Pekka Kuusisto and Johanna Juhola are extremely skilled and imaginative. On the first cd of the duo Kraft traditional and electronic music playfully shake hands.
Tuija Halmekoski, Anna magazine February 2008
Kraft’s first cd Max Höjd has come out. It is captivatingly fresh and surprising. The moods of the pieces range from boisterous jamming to ethereal fairy tale scenery with the lightly tinkering mini grand piano, as in `Illusia´. `Valaat ´ (whales) dives into deep oceans with brilliant, electronically spiced sounds.
Päivi Kurkikangas, Apu magazine 2009 (Kraft: "Max Höjd" album review)
The technical skills of the musicians are astounding, but the humaneness and warm humor made the greatest impression. When the artists are this skilled and dedicated to what they do, two is just the right size for an ensemble. There is communication, no schizophrenia. As one half of the group said it, “Perfect”.
Jyrki Kallio, Aamulehti newspaper blog 3.1.2009 (review of a Kraft concert at Suisto club in Hämeenlinna)
All four musicians have a master of music degree from the folk music department of Sibelius academy, which shows in the way they can keep the music together. They play tightly together even through bursts of time signature variations - a sign of their truly admirable rhythmic skills….the album release gig was a proof of the group’s incredible live energy. The pieces were even more effective than on record, and the master speaker bassist Sara Puljula’s humor was a perfect accompaniment to the music. A band well worth listening to!
Kare Eskola, Rondo-magazine November 2008 (Spontaani Vire: review of Korkea kofeiinipitoisuus album and album release concert)
The group Spontaani Vire playing is both wildly swinging and sharply disciplined…Johanna Juhola (accordion), Sara Puljula (bass), Eero Grundström (pump organ, keyboards), and Emilia Lajunen (violin) make daring mixtures. The tango `Tilda´ makes me think of Aki Kaurismäki’s type of melancholy. Beautiful and perfectly in line with the rest.
Ole Nerdrum, Huvudstadsbladet 1.10.2008 (Spontaani Vire: Korkea Kofeiinipitoisuus –album review)
The album is bursting with sharp, energetic, playfully joyous, virtuosic music…It is a proof or the group members’ composition skills as well, since the compositions are mainly their own. ..During their years together these musicians have woven their playing together to form a seamless texture. The arrangements and instrumentations are interesting and varied and make room for individual instruments in addition to the whole group blasting together.
Arja Kangasniemi, Pelimanni magazine December 2008 (Spontaani Vire: Korkea Kofeiinipitoisuus album review)
Both musicians are solid professionals in their main instruments, piano and accordion. The instruments used in the performance, piano, accordion, portable harmonium, claviola, good old Rhodes piano, and mini grand piano added original extra to the tone colors when backing the vocals and in the instrumental parts of this variegated music. The use of the instruments was controlled in a rational way too, letting their characteristics show in the best possible way. The two musicians performed this huge task easily, professionally, and in keeping with the style.
Toni Hannula, Karkkilan tienoo newspaper 13.8.2008 (Maria de Buenos Aires opening performance, musicians Johanna Juhola and Milla Viljamaa)
As the group had a wide range of instruments, their tone colors were rich and diverse. The pieces performed by Spontaani Vire told stories even though none included vocals or lyrics. It was a great pleasure to listen to and experience this highly skilled and energetic performance.
Sirpa Sutinen, Pogostan Sanomat newspaper 1.5.2008 (Spontaani Vire concert review)
Now it´s her (Johanna Juhola) turn to shine, on this duoalbum. Under Alakotila´s guidance she has blossomed into another of Finland´s stunning accordionists, and has developed her own musical style, retaining the grace of players like Kalaniemi (Maria) yet bringing an almost raw edge to her own compositions. This is CD of sheer joy from two fine musicians. ****
Fiona Talkington, Songlines 3/2008 (Timo Alakotila & Johanna Juhola: Vapaassa Tilassa -levyn arvostelu)
Johanna Juhola (born 1978) is the modern accordionist that was lifted onstage impressively in the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals – one of the recently much-talked-about young Sibelius Academy top musicians. Choosing her to perform in the first Eurovision Song Contest held in Finland was well justified. She is, along with Kimmo Pohjonen, a musician who has created new Finnish accordion art with a fresh touch, and has also become well known internationally. Juhola’s solo album Miette was one of the most beautiful domestic recordings last year. The pieces are more hopeful, funny and playful than the sombre classics of the Finnish tango tradition. Yet they are just as much in touch with the soul, only in a more urban environment. The most delightful example of this is “Tango Hississä” (Tango in an elevator) with Pekka Kuusisto’s playful violin.
Tero Salonen, Aamuposti newspaper 29.6.2007 (Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola: Mi Retorno album review)
Las Chicas Del Tango has an artistically challenging approach to tango. In addition to classic pieces from Astor Piazzolla and Carlos Gardel the album contains the trio’s own compositions. There are songs written both in Finnish and in Spanish. The last piece on the album, Piazzolla’s tango As Ilhas, sounds exceptionally magnificent as it crescendoes in intensity. Keeping music like this together and in rhythm is challenging for a small group, since Juhola and Viljamaa build on lightness and leaving space between the notes instead of going full steam ahead. The vocalist needs good timing, and Kukka-Maaria Ahonen has it. Her theatrical voice has traces of the sweetness of first love, mother’s warmth, frailty of a consumptive artist, and a bit of an ex-girlfriend’s bitchiness.
Suonna Kononen, Karjalainen newspaper 2.8.2007 (Las Chicas del Tango: La Voz Femenina album review)
The album was worth making. The arrangements of Viljamaa and Juhola are kicking rhythmically with heels high enough, suitably for the Argentinean material. Sueño de Barrilete, more familiar Vuelvo al Sur and Yuyo Verde work wonderfully… Kukka-Maaria Ahonen sings with nuanced phrasing, thought and empathy throughout the album, both in Spanish and in Finnish.
Pirkko Kotirinta, Helsingin Sanomat newspaper 9.8.2007 (Las Chicas del Tango: La Voz Femenina album review)
Reverie is one of the best contemporary circus performances I have ever seen. There is nothing too much or too little in this hour-long performance. The performance dares to trust the magical power of slow pace that gives significance to the slightest gesture onstage. The atmosphere and the sovereign skill of the performers take the viewer along for a dive into the unknown regions of the mind.
Annikki Alku, Uutispäivä Demari 16.7.2007 (Reverie, a new circus performance at Jyväskylä Summer festival, music composed by Johanna Juhola and Milla Viljamaa)
Finnish tango is not what it used to be, due to the young folk musicians pianist Milla Viljamaa and accordionist Johanna Juhola. They have distinct composing styles: Viljamaa’s straightforward approach balances Juhola’s mysteriousness and creative fury, or vice versa.
Kaisa Pastila, Eeva magazine July 2007 (Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola: Mi Retorno album review)
Milla Viljamaa ja Johanna Juhola have proven their skills with Astor Piazzolla. On the tango duo’s second album piano and accordion converse open-mindedly. The tango has a sound that is exciting, restless even, elegantly passionate. This is music to take along for a summer evening.
Tuija Halmekoski, Anna magazine 14.6.2007 (Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola: Mi Retorno album review)
Multi-instrumentalists Johanna Juhola and Pekka Kuusisto are natural born performance artists.
Lauri Otonkoski, Helsingin Sanomat (newspaper) 20.1.2007 (Tapiola Sinfonietta’s Symphonic Fantasies in Tapiola Hall)
A woman loses her sense of reality but finds another where old rules do not apply. On the reverse side of daytime consciousness nothing is predictable… Dreams, fantasies, nightmares. The production not only works, it enchants. The dream-like atmosphere is emphasized by Johanna Juhola’s and Milla Viljamaa’s music, furtively soothing into dreaming… The high-heeled cavalcade is hilarious. I would like to see Reverie performed more times.
Jussi Tossavainen, Helsingin Sanomat (newspaper) 6.1.2007 (MedAndraOrd: Reverie 4. -6.1.2007 in Alexander Theatre)
Delightfully, Tsuumi Sound System takes care of the music with skill, and Johanna Juhola’s compositions are kicking.
Lotta Skaffari, Trad (music magazine) 5/2006 (Tsuumi: Gourmet-National Banquet 21.9.2006 in Alexander Theatre)
Troka’s playing is holistic, respectful of tradition and truly professional. The audience remained hypnotized for several seconds after the piece (Juhola: Astoral Polskafantasia) was over. Juhola is a renowned Piazzolla expert – a fact that was clearly audible in the sound worlds created by the piece.
Antti Jnka-Murros, Keskipohjanmaa (newspaper) 17.12.2006 (Troka in Kokkola Conservatoire Hall 15.12.06)
Accordionist Johanna Juhola’s first solo album is wonderful. There is skilful playing, imaginative compositions and arrangements, humour, surprises, sensitivity, originality…. Johanna’s music is golden-rimmed and sunny.
Arja Kangasniemi, Trad (music magazine) 4/2006 (Review of Johanna Juhola’s album Miette)
The other member of Kraft is accordionist Johanna Juhola, who has made theatre music and is a member of groups such as Troka and Las Chicas del Tango. She proved an excellent partner for the sensitively co-operating duo’s fascinating exploration to the margins of music. It is just on those margins where the most exciting musical experiences often take place. This time the starting point was more or less ethnic music, but the result was very contemporary…
Juhola’s accordion had a full sound and it created magnificent harmonies with the violin. At times her love for the new phases of Argentinean tango could be clearly heard in her atmospheric playing. Both also played a miniature grand piano that sounds like a music box. The effect was childishly magical. As a bonus addition to her own compositions and Rinneradio’s Helmi that was brilliantly treated, Tommy Lindgren appeared to rap a couple numbers from his own group, Don Johnson Big Band. A traditional pelimanni version of One MC, One Delay was especially charming.
Jussi Niemi, Aamulehti (newspaper), December 2006 (Kraft in Tampere Hall)
Pekka Kuusisto can do anything, and when a violin is not enough, he will sing and whistle too. With Johanna Juhola as an equally nimble partner, the music at its best has surprises and the joy of spontaneous invention.
Juhani Koivisto, Kainuun Sanomat, 19.7.2006 (Kraft in Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival)
Sometimes so-called super ensembles just don’t work. Kraft, on the other hand, proved late last Saturday night that at its best, the collaboration of two extremely talented musicians can be very fruitful. Even though the Juhola-Kuusisto duo has an enormous amount of skill, their music did not at any point slip into mere demonstration of technical ability. Kuusisto mentioned during the gig that the hardest thing with the pieces was to make up smart names for them. Listening to Kraft made me think it must be true: so easy did playing seem for both Kuusisto and Juhola. The audience could feel the warmth and joy on stage.
Iikka Taavitsainen, Keskisuomalainen 17.7.2006 (Kraft concert at
Jyväskylä Summer Festival)
Johanna Juhola is doing to accordion in the 21st century what Maria Kalaniemi did in the 1990’s – she combines time-tied musical phenomena into her own, forward-oriented style that reaches an audience outside the traditional folk music circles too. Juhola’s Miette is a convincing solo debut – she has already been an influential member of several bands. Her skills show not only in the virtuosic playing and vivid compositions, but also in her brilliant collaboration with guest musicians.
Kare Eskola, Rondo 7/2006 (Johanna Juhola: Miette album review)
Johanna Juhola follows her own path as a musician and composer and gives new features to accordion as an instrument.
Kimmo Mattila, Hanuri 2/2006 (Johanna Juhola: Miette album review)
Juhola is, along with Kimmo Pohjonen and Maria Kalaniemi, one of the great innovators of accordion music. Disruptions are contrasted to beauty, storm to calm, childhood to aging and cheerfulness to pomposity. Unforgettable and impossibly beautiful.
Tero Salonen, Anna 15.6.2006 (Johanna Juhola: Miette album review)
Johanna Juhola and Pekka Kuusisto offered rare delicacies at Kokkola Winter Accordion –festival: a concert based on the duo’s own compositions was brimming with musical joy.
Jimmy Träskelin, Trad 2/2006 (Kraft concert review)
Johanna Juhola sweetens this masculine group. Her highly skilled accordionism is sensitive and expressive.
Hannu Lehtoranta, Trad 2/2006 (Troka: Raharinki album review)
Spontaneous energy. The music tells stories, the melodies flow with joy and the compositions are well constructed. The solo debut from Johanna Juhola is fresh and fun.
Tove Djupsjöbacka, Huvudstadsbladet 24.5.2006 (Johanna Juhola: Miette review)
The five-piece Troka excels in energetic, rich-sounding performances of original compositions rooted in traditional music...Astoraalinen Polskafantasia by accordionist Johanna Juhola is an excitingly visual Northern hommage to the Argentinian master Piazzolla.
Pirkko Kotirinta, Helsingin Sanomat march 2006 (Troka:Raharinki)
The repertory at the Ateljeeri consisted of pieces by Argentinian tango composer Astor Piazzolla, but also of works by the members of the duo. These were many-faceted and stylish, with the same deep intoxicating effect as a bottle of good wine.
Jouko Tuomas-Kettunen, Keski-Uusimaa 14.3.2006 (concert by Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola)
8:01 AM
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