Finnish-Australian composer shares new EP of haunting, minimalist classical music
Simon Svoboda’s latest EP, Kaamos, is an evocative journey through the many facets of the Finnish winter. Across five delicately crafted tracks, the Finnish-Australian composer merges his classical expertise with a minimalist approach, producing soundscapes that are haunting yet serene. The title track, “Kaamos,” captures the essence of the deep winter darkness, weaving together subtle cello arpeggios and Svoboda’s ethereal falsetto, creating a sound both eerie and beautiful.
Each composition on the EP reflects a distinct element of the season, from the stillness of “Halla” (frost) to the enveloping atmosphere of “Savu” (smoke). Svoboda’s collaborations with fellow musicians, including Ukrainian violinist Varvara Vasylieva and Finnish organist William Häggblom, enrich the EP with layers of texture and emotion, complementing his nuanced arrangements.
Influenced by composers like Arvo Pärt and contemporary artists such as Thom Yorke, Svoboda brings a unique blend of classical minimalism and experimental sound to his new project.
Svoboda shared: “’Kaamos’ is a collection of five minimalistic songs inspired by different elements of the Finnish winter,” he adds on the EP as a whole. “It describes the darkest period of the year in Finland, a time that is beautiful and eerie. The remaining tracks draw inspiration from other aspects of winter in Finland: ‘Halla’ (frost), ‘Savu’ (smoke), ‘Usva’ (mist), and ‘Valo’ (light). I was fortunate to collaborate with some incredible artists and close friends on this EP. Ukrainian violinist Varvara Vasylieva features on ‘Savu’, Finnish organist William Häggblom on ‘Halla’, and my sister Helen Svoboda’s beautiful vocals can be heard in ‘Valo’. My influences include Arvo Pärt, Thom Yorke, Yann Tiersen, Tigran Hamasyan, and my sister Helen Svoboda.”
Give Kaamos a spin below:
