It is true that French disco had its moment, Belgian punk a hit. We believe that there is such a thing as Austrian rap and in the possibility of Polish rock and roll. Cross-fertilisation abounds, the best Glimmer Twins production is a Russo-Finnish collaboration with an able assist from Nicky Tesco.
BBC 1 to be broadcast on the world service. Music exported. job done.
Perhaps Jussi cant tell us.
The only Finnish bands that I can think of are that bunch who won Eurovision and The Leningrad Cowboys (somewhere deep in the Tundra was the worst rock n’ roll band in the world).
For those unaware the backing on that live version of Its Only Rock and Roll was almost certainly the Red Army Choir.
https://youtu.be/Jrg0X9H6FGU
The Alexandrov Ensemble which is a version of a Red Army Choir. With the Leningrad Cowboys of course.
There’s a pretty good Polish rock band called Obstawa Prezydenta (The President’s Bodyguard). I also recommend giving Hungarian band The Qualitons a listen.
Thank you. I stand corrected.
“If touring Europe became prohibitively expensive, orchestras and opera houses would be forced to ask the government to cover financial losses, she said”
Can anyone explain why these people tour? Coldplay, I understand. I even understand why you might fly an especially good operatic soloist in. But is there a lack of orchestras in Gent or Madrid who can’t read some music and play it? The music is all in the public domain. How many people would be able to tell the difference between the London and Berlin Symphony orchestras playing Beethoven?
One of the successes of modern musicals is that it becomes a franchise. Mamma Mia has played in 40 countries. And in each, you get some local actors who can also sing a bit of ABBA and get them doing it, rather than flying people around the world.
“If touring Europe became prohibitively expensive, orchestras and opera houses would be forced to ask the government to cover financial losses, she said”
Why the government? Why not their owners and/or investors?
The most successful Finnish band in the world is Nightwish, nearly 10m albums sold and 60 gold/platinum discs. They also currently have one of the finest female singers in any genre, Floor Jansen.
@jgh
‘Why the government?’
If I could enforce one diktat it would be to prohibit the use of the phrase ‘the government’ to describe the source of funds and instead mandate the use of ‘taxpayers’.
They also currently have one of the finest female singers in any genre, Floor Jansen.
Blimey she looks jolly… er… no nonsense…
https://www.floorjansen.com/
Well she is 6’ 2”. She has a lovely smile too. Now I must have a cold shower.
Interested , a thousand times yes and to be fervently wished for.