Virta
Virta, Elia Lombardini
Virta, Elia Lombardini @ Tavastia, Helsinki, Finland, 15 February 2023,
February 19, 2024
Photo by Irina Shtreis (Main Photo)
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It begins with soft guitar strums. An occasional whistling adds some French chanson romance, which soon turns into a polyrhythmic jazz hamantic session as the drums enter. Virta drummer Erik Fräki handles percussion elements from different spheres. Along with conventional drums and cymbals are brick finds: a bunch of pewter spoons, brass bells and a bicycle bell. All add different tones to this kaleidoscopic world. The moment of spiritual peace is disrupted by a drumbeat – a splash in the water of sound that causes the vortex to accelerate. The undercurrent of Heikki Selamo's Precision bass moves through the dense texture, while the heavenly vocals and metallic samplers from Antti Hevosmaa seem to be heard from the sky.
![Elia Lombardini (photo by Ranieri Scoccia (IG @ransco))](https://undertheradarmag.com/uploads/review_images/Elia_Lombardini_(photo_by_Ranieri_Scoccia)_1.jpg)
![Elia Lombardini (photo by Ranieri Scoccia (IG @ransco))](https://undertheradarmag.com/uploads/review_images/Elia_Lombardini_(photo_by_Ranieri_Scoccia)_1.jpg)
“Sinnen” is one of the tracks from Virta's third album album/horros” title=””>Horros. Each composition is emblematic of the band's name: from Finnish, virta translates as energy, current or electricity. Signed to Finland's premier independent label Svart Records, the trio enjoyed a cult following in their homeland and far beyond. At the venerable Tavastia venue, their status is obvious. The show takes place after Valentine's Day amid strikes affecting public transport in Helsinki (no metro or trams run on that day and bus service is limited). Still, the 700-seat Tavastia is packed with fans. Some wear branded Virta T-shirts. This year, the group was nominated for the Emma Award (Finnish Grammy equivalent) as Best Jazz Group.
![Elia Lombardini (photo by Ranieri Scoccia (IG @ransco))](https://undertheradarmag.com/uploads/review_images/Elia_Lombardini_(photo_by_Ranieri_Scoccia).jpg)
![Elia Lombardini (photo by Ranieri Scoccia (IG @ransco))](https://undertheradarmag.com/uploads/review_images/Elia_Lombardini_(photo_by_Ranieri_Scoccia).jpg)
On stage, Antti Hevosmaa (electronics, flugelhorn, trumpet, vocals), Erik Fräki (electronics, drums, percussion, vocals) and Heikki Selamo (bass, electronics, guitar, lap steel, vocals) are awash in darkness. The only source of light is an excellent installation by the band's set designer himself Jere Suontausta coming from an artistic background. Hence the direct hints. Behind the three is a huge aluminum foil screen. The play of light turns the background into an animated version of it Horros cover. The artwork reflects key components of music: movement, fluidity and a constant flow of sparkling energy. Brass instruments, trumpet and fugelhorn, used by Hevosmaa, imbue the compositions with a vital force. In “Aamu”, the last track Horrosthe musician plays the custom-made Eclipse trumpet which, unlike other instruments in this family, has a softer, velvety timbre as if it were a human voice.
![Virta (Ella Lombardini - photo by Ranieri Scoccia (IG @ransco))](https://undertheradarmag.com/uploads/review_images/Virta_(Elia_Lombardini_(photo_by_Ranieri_Scoccia).jpg)
![Virta (Ella Lombardini - photo by Ranieri Scoccia (IG @ransco))](https://undertheradarmag.com/uploads/review_images/Virta_(Elia_Lombardini_(photo_by_Ranieri_Scoccia).jpg)
Similar anthropomorphic features can be spotted on the set by Elia Lombardini, a Finnish-Italian solo artist supporting Virta tonight. With fiddle and multi-effects pedals, including the Boss loop station, Lombardini channels emotional complexity and contemplation through layered ethereal compositions. Although some suggest a neoclassical approach to the core, e.g. “Flowers Of Life” from Lombardini's latest album album/in-death-and-the-hunger-for-a-thousand-lives” title=””>In Death and the Hunger for a Thousand Livesothers seemingly bridge sources as distant Gregorian chants and Von-Sigur Rós era. Of seven compositions, six exist only in live reprise and have never been recorded before. The thrilling finale 'Endtro' begins with Elia's vocals recorded through a condenser microphone attached to his violin. The loops spread across the space as if they were ripples on the surface of water. It gradually evolves with multiple levels of instruments zooming in on the galactic scale. Fittingly, a circular neon decoration above the stage, designed by Sofia Palillo, conjures up either a halo or a solar eclipse. Of course, it's just a metaphor and the props are just props. Even so, the sense of superiority invoked by both Virta and Lombardini during this special performance is haunting and lingers for a long time.
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