Printable Info Sheet | Download Artwork
Mika Pohjola - some compositions, all arrangements, piano, melodica, conducting, production
Johanna Grüssner - all voices
Tove Jansson - lyrics
Erna Tauro - other compositions
David Ambrosio - bass
Laura Arpiainen - violin
Mark Ferber - drums
Kerstin Frödin - recorder
Fernando Huergo - bass
Robert Moose - violin
MiHee Park - violin
Yusuke Yamamoto - percussion & flute
Explore the complete collection of original recording sheet music from the iconic Moomin Voices album! Dive into the musical world with scores for 22 songs, experiencing the very same visual materials used by the talented musicians, including the remarkable vocalist Johanna Grüssner, during their recording sessions back in 2002. For the first time ever, this treasure trove of sheet music is now accessible to the public as PDF documents, accompanied by all the audio recordings of the featured songs. Experience the magic of Moomin Voices like never before, delving into both the musical scores and the enchanting melodies that bring them to life. Used as course material at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, this classic bestseller has been hailed as the most innovative children's music album of the century.
Experience the enchanting melodies of Tove Jansson's timeless Moomin fairy-tale songs in the classic edition of the complete collection. Celebrated as an ingenious children's music album, it has found a special place as course material at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.
Within the Moomin novels, music weaves its magic through the lives of the characters, especially Snufkin and his harmonica's playful tunes. Each character, from Moomintroll to Little My, expresses themselves through captivating songs that mirror their unique personalities. These melodies transcended Moomin Valley, resonating beyond the pages when they graced the theater stage in Stockholm.
In 1959, director Vivica Bandler urged Jansson: "Here, the people crave songs." This led to the birth of musical compositions by Helsinki-based pianist and composer, Erna Tauro, based on Jansson's lyrics. The initial collection featured six heartfelt Moomin Songs, including Moomintroll's Song, Little My's Song, and others, each embodying the essence of its character. As the 1960s and 70s unfolded, more of these captivating tunes emerged during the production of Moomin dramas for Swedish Television, captivating audiences with their simple yet resonant melodies.
The beauty of Tauro's compositions, often sung unaccompanied or with piano, received resounding acclaim. Although Moomintroll's Song and Little My's Song became iconic across Scandinavia, they were absent from the novels' pages. Jansson and Tauro's original songs remained scattered until composer and arranger Mika Pohjola paid tribute to Tove Jansson in 2003. Pohjola meticulously recorded the complete collection on the Moomin Voices CD, immortalizing Tauro's melodies and Jansson's lyrics, collaborating with Jansson's heirs to complete her final compositions.
Pohjola, orchestrating for a vocal ensemble and chamber orchestra, crafted a musical masterpiece, especially designed for the silky voice of Johanna Grüssner. In 2005, the Finnish version "Muumilauluja" emerged, with translated lyrics by Kirsi Kunnas and Vexi Salmi. Both the Swedish and Finnish renditions of Moomin Voices, alongside their musical scores, found a place as esteemed material at Berklee College of Music.
Moomin Music
Released 2024
by Tove Jansson, Erna Taurowith Mika Pohjola, Johanna Grüssner