Short bio
Ensemble Gamut! is a fresh, experimental collective of early music and folk music specialists, who are constantly searching for new ways to perform early music. Led by Aino Peltomaa, they have created their unique sound by combining and daringly rearranging elements from medieval music and Finnish folk songs with improvisation and electronic soundscapes.
Full bio
Ensemble Gamut! is a fresh, experimental collective of early music and folk music specialists, who are constantly searching for new ways to perform early music. Led by Aino Peltomaa, they have created their unique sound by combining and daringly rearranging elements from medieval music and Finnish folk songs with improvisation and electronic soundscapes.
The name of the ensemble is derived from medieval music theory (Guido of Arezzo), but also means a colour reproduction, a subset of colours. Kamut means “friends” in Finnish, and the word Kamu is also short for ”kansanmusiikki”, meaning folk music.
MI, the third album of Ensemble Gamut! weaves together medieval repertoire with Peltomaa’s own compositions and texts inspired by Arctic endangered flowers. Their sophomore album RE was nominated in the Finnish music awards Emma Gaala (”Ethno of the year”). Their albums UT, RE and MI have attracted widespread interest among international music critics across genres, and have frequently been featured among the best albums in yearly listings of classical, early as well as progressive music.
Ensemble Gamut!’s imaginative style has been described as ”refreshing, soothing, intriguing and enlightening”. Their acclaimed performances have enchanted audiences from club gigs to museums, medieval churches and concert halls.
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Reviews
… A stimulating, naturally highly professionally presented evening that could certainly score points with some substantially important “messages” that reached far beyond the respective concrete subject into the general. Or as Aino Peltomaa formulated it as a wish: “Let us continue to be carried by love and touched and enchanted by the miracle of life.
…Ein anregender, natürlich höchst professionell präsentierter Abend, der mit einigen substantiell wichtigen, weil über den jeweiligen konkreten Gegenstand weit ins Allgemeine hinausreichenden „Botschaften“ schon punkten konnte. Oder wie es Aino Peltomaa als Wunsch formulierte: „Lassen wir uns weiter von der Liebe tragen und vom Wunder des Lebens berühren und verzaubern.
Ensemble Gamut!’s music is an amazing example of the merging and blending of different genres. Aino Peltomaa’s compositions, early music as well as traditional Finnish and electronic music merge together and intertwine with each other in dazzling brilliance like aurora borealis, with breathing hues of color, with sparkling joy. The music dances, rock’roll’s, touches and enchants the soul.
Ensemble Gamut!:in musiikki on upea esimerkki eri musiikkigenrejen sulautumisesta toisiinsa niin, että genrerajat häviävät. Aino Peltomaan sävellykset, vanha musiikki sekä perinteinen suomalainen ja elektroninen musiikki soljuvat yhdessä ja toistensa lomassa kuin revontulen loimotus, välillä hentoina värivivoina, välillä räiskyvänä ilotteluna. Musiikki tanssii, rokkaa, sivelee ja ravistelee sielua.
– Arja Kangasniemi / Kansanmusiikki-lehti (3/2025)
Mi is a moment of calm in the midst of a world that’s mostly too busy for such things.
– Jon Davis / Expose Online (28.09.2025)
If Hildegard von Bingen had lived in the age of prog, rock and electronica, perhaps this is the album she would have created: this is music with very modern sensibilities played on medieval instruments.
Central to the project is the captivating voice of Aino Peltomaa, whose enchanting vocals in a combination of Latin and her native Finnish carry the listener through a range of musical textures from synthesised drones to lively melodic interplay. Peltomaa has created this music with a strong ecological conscience; in dedicating the album to Arctic endangered flowers, she fittingly taps into both floral imagery from medieval literature and very contemporary issues with the extinction of plant life.
– Finn Collinson / The Recorder Magazine (Autumn 2025)
MI is an album that, in exploring the boundaries between the living and the non-living, offers space both for transience and fragility, as well as for timelessness and vitality.
– Edvin Hofman / Written in Music (16.08.2025)
The latest release MI by Ensemble Gamut! demonstrates that elements from medieval music, electronic soundscapes, and folk music can be melted into a most fascinating whole. This time, the focus is on the endangered flowers of the Arctic, the roots of which grow thirteen distinct, multi-layered pieces.
Ensemble Gamut! masterfully blends “the sounds of the earth, coiled into the roots” with a magical touch.
Ensemble Gamut! vapauttaa oivalla otteellaan taianomaisen hienosti ”maan äänet, kertomukset juuriin kietoutuneet”.
– Jari Hoffrén / Keskisuomalainen (12.08.2025)
The Arctic harshness and beauty intertwined in a multi-layered concert. Ensemble Gamut!’s multidisciplinary performance carried the listener from one extreme to the other.
From the very beginning, it was clear that these top-tier masters of their instruments create their art with utmost precision, seamless cohesion, and meticulous consideration – while preserving the illusion of floating freedom. Historical layers shimmered through one another like a superimposed image. Thematically, the delicate fragility of endangered flowers was insightfully juxtaposed with the force of ecological catastrophe. The concert brought together both the abstract power of imagination and the bodily, primitive fight or flight responses – and, on the other hand, that part of the nervous system that soothes and calms when the world feels overwhelming.
Arktinen karuus ja kauneus limittyivät monikerroksisessa konsertissa. Ensemble Gamut! -yhtyeen monitaiteinen kokonaisuus kuljetti kuulijan ääripäästä toiseen.
Konsertin alusta lähtien oli selvää, että instrumenttiensa kärkiosaajat luovat taidettaan äärimmäisen viimeistellysti, yhteen hitsautuneesti ja tarkkaan mietitysti – samalla säilyttäen vapauden kelluvan illuusion. Historialliset aikatasot väikkyivät toistensa takaa kerrostettuna kuvana. Myös teeman osalta rinnastettiin oivaltavasti uhanalaisten kukkien herkkyys ekokatastrofin voimaan. Konsertti kokosi yhteen niin abstraktin mielikuvituksen voiman kuin kehollisina, primitiivisinä reaktioina taistele, pakene, jähmety -tuntemukset – ja toisaalta sen osan hermostosta, joka rauhoittaa ja tyynnyttää, kun maailma tuntuu liialta.
-Pauliina Rahiala / Turun Sanomat (11.08.2025)
The characteristic of Ensemble Gamut’s class is their unique sound. The result is a kind of artistic mysticism, combining the timeless relevance of Hildegard von Bingen’s work with contemporary art in the broadest sense. Aino’s singing blends perfectly with the instruments and added electronic sounds. The final effect is as fascinating as it is coherent. The story of Gamut! begins its journey in the darkness of the Middle Ages and takes us to a sonic universe beyond time and space.
Cechą świadczącą o klasie zespołu jest ich unikalne brzmienie. W efekcie mamy do czynienia ze swego rodzaju artystycznym mistycyzmem, łączącym nieprzemijającą aktualność twórczości Hildegardy z Bingen z szeroko rozumianą sztuką współczesną. Śpiew Aino idealnie komponuje się z instrumentami i dodanymi dźwiękami elektronicznymi. Końcowy efekt jest tyleż fascynujący co spójny. Opowieść Gamut! rozpoczyna swoją podróż w mrokach średniowiecza i przenosi nas do dźwiękowego wszechświata poza czasem i przestrzenią.
– Robert Majewski / W Kulturalny Sposóby (20.06.2025)
All in all, a beautiful, conceptual CD built up to a climax (Stabat mater dolorosa), on which Ensemble Gamut! shows more and more courage in terms of performance practice in comparison with the two previously released titles.
Al met al een mooie, naar een climax (Stabat mater dolorosa) opgebouwde conceptuele cd waarop Ensemble Gamut! qua uitvoeringspraktijk steeds meer lef toont in vergelijking tot de eerdere twee uitgebrachte titels.
– Els van Swol / 8weekly (20.06.2025)
MI has all the makings of an album of the year, it’s just hard to pick a category. But genres are there to be broken. The music resonates hope and faith in life, despite everything “Life flows through me – O viridissima virga”, and the best place to be is in the life-giving embrace of Mother Earth.
MI-levyllä on kaikki edellytykset vuoden levyksi, kategoriaa vain on hankala valita. Mutta genret ovat olemassa rikottavaksi. Musiikki värähtelee toivoa ja uskoa elämään, kaikesta huolimatta ”Elämä virtaaa lävitseni – O viridissima virga”, ja paras paikka on äiti maan uutta luova syli.
– Marja Mustakallio / Kulttuuritoimitus (18.06.2025)
The album RE engages the listener in a fantastic musical and textual journey.
– Tom Bickley / American Recorder Magazine (Summer 2024)
RE is a glimpse into a long-gone time presented sensitively and creatively, blending the medieval and the modern in a way no other group has done.
– Jon Davis / Exposé Online (20.10.2023)
The concert feels like a form of purification process, where the most essential is washed off and unnecessary nonsense is left out. The music takes a transparent and clear shape, in which fragility proves equally effective as heavier dynamic expression.
Konserten känns som en form av reningsprocess där det mest väsentliga har vaskats fram och onödigt fnas lämnats bort. Musiken får en viss genomskinlighet och klarhet där det mest fragila visar sig vara lika effektfullt som det tyngre dynamiska uttrycket.
– Rolf Nordman / Vasabladet (30.07.2023)
RE is an intriguing album that pushes the boundaries of traditional music. It is a unique combination of old and new elements, which can get you carried away in the right moment.
RE is een intrigerend album dat de grenzen van de traditionele muziek opzoekt. Het is een unieke combinatie van oude en nieuwe elementen, die je in het juiste moment kan meeslepen.
– Lieve de Sadeleer / Blokfluitist (May 2023)
Not since Hedningarna and Värttinä have the Northern Lights shone so brightly.
Desde os Hedningarna e Värttinä que as luzes do Norte não brilhavam tão intensas.
– João Lisboa / Expresso (24.03.2023)
I’m enchanted. How naturally Ensemble Gamut! combines medieval and folk music, improvisation, speech, whispers, nature sounds and electronic soundscapes.
Olen lumoutunut. Miten luontevasti Ensemble Gamut! yhdistää keskiaikaista ja kansanmusiikkia, improvisaatiota, kerrontaa, kuisketta, luonnonääniä ja elektronisia äänimaisemia.
– Arja Kangasniemi / Kansanmusiikki (01/2023)
From rough-spun elemental numbers to exquisitely beautiful voice-and-harp, the range and depth here is compelling. The early literary sources that hark back to an ancient time may be obscure, yet the sense of enduring human truths and emotions is clear. RE refers to a note of the medieval music scale, but in this talented trio’s hands, it also stands for renewing and returning – two things that Ensemble Gamut! do exceedingly well. This is an assured sophomore album from a talented trio.
– Chris Wheatley / Songlines (01.03.2023)
This is very definitely a labor of love, and the pieces and context are superbly researched. — …for open ears and minds, there’s an entire world of joy to discover on RE.
– Chris Nickson / RootsWorld (13.02.2023)
With these ingredients the ensemble conjures an archaic and peaceful sound world.
Näillä eväillä yhtye taikoo arkaaisen ja levollisen sointimaailman.
– Risto Nordell / Suomen Kuvalehti (19.01.2023)
RE can be enjoyed with many different perspectives. The excellent booklet text offers a bridge to the relevant themes of today; the conquest of new territories by a superpower, Finland’s geopolitical position between East and West, and wars between religions. But it is just as rewarding to put the booklet aside and allow the music transport you, admiring the unlimited coalition of the inspiration, improvisation and innovation of the musicians.
RE-albumi taipuu nautittavaksi monin eri tulokulmin. Esittelylehtisen erinomaiset taustoitustekstit tarjoavat sillan meidän aikamme polttaviin aiheisiin kuten suurvallan tunkeutuminen uusille alueille tai Suomen geopoliittinen asemaa idän ja lännen risteyksessä. Yhtä lailla antoisaa on laitaa esittelylehtinen syrjään ja suostua musiikin kuljetettavaksi muusikoiden inspiraation, improvisaation ja innovaation suvereenia liittoa ihastellen. RE-albumi nostaa uljaasti liehuvan uuden lipun kansanmusiikkia ja vanhaa musiikkia kekseliäästi yhdistelevän kamuklassisen genren salkoon.
– Pia Antikainen / Yle Klassinen (16.01.2023)
The setting here is a calming soundscape with so much space. The instruments come together and then fall away, Aino’s beguiling voice the siren song touchstone that seals the deal. Refreshing, fulfilling and cleansing, it’s a fantastic listen that draws you into another world, an older and harder world but one filled with a purity of spirit that now feels lost.
– Jez Rowden / The Progressive Aspect (04.01.2023)
Everyone who likes medieval music with a modern twist, folk music, church music or minimal music, instrumental and vocal music will have a lot of fun with this second album!
Iedereen die van middeleeuwse muziek in een modern jasje houdt, van volksmuziek of folk, van kerkmuziek of minimal music, van instrumentale muziek en zang zal veel plezier aan dit tweede album beleven!
– Els van Swol / 8weekly.nl (18.12.2022)
For me, the ensemble’s strength lies not only in their impressive arsenal of sounds and skills, but above all in their ability to recognize when silence speaks the most. They seize every opportunity to give space: the music is allowed to breathe. The most beautiful moments are introspective: a fleeting flute tone, a looped voice drifting in the background.
Voor mij zit de kracht van het ensemble niet alleen in hun imponerende arsenaal van klanken en vaardigheden, maar zeker ook in het feit dat zij goed weten wanneer stilte het meest spreekt. Zij nemen elke kans om ruimte te geven: de muziek mag ademen. De mooiste momenten zijn introspectief: een luchtige fluittoon, een geloopte stem op de achtergrond.
– Sarah Jeffery / Blokfluitist (09/2021)
The musicians play together fluidly and effortlessly, as rough-hewn folk textures merge with pure and caressing soundscapes. — The result is traditional music with its own voice, created with a relaxed touch and firmly rooted in our time.
Taitavien muusikoiden yhteisssoitto on notkeaa ja helponoloista, kun karheat etnorouheudet sulautuvat puhtaasti hiveltäviin äänipintoihin. — Syntyy omaäänistä ja rennolla otteella tehtyä, tässä ajassa valmistunutta perinnemusiikkia.
– Aki Yli-Salomäki / YLE (20.02.2021)
The combination is rich and works well. — A pleasant feeling of space has been created in post-production. The mood ranges from meditative to raucous. — Many of the tracks are as catchy as any pop tune.
– Riikka Hiltunen / FMQ (05.02.2021)
…this debut CD, on which the musicians are completely attuned to one another: listen to each other closely, respond to one another’s playing subtly, and are equal to one another.
…deze debuut-cd, waarop de musici optimaal op elkaar zijn ingespeeld, naar elkaar luisteren, subtiel op elkaars spel reageren en gelijkwaardig zijn aan elkaar.
– Els van Swol / 8weekly (04.02.2021
A strong debut with an excellent sound world from a highly promising ensemble.
Hieno ja erinomaisella soundimaailmalla varustettu avaus erittäin lupaavalta yhtyeeltä.
– Teijo Salminen / Colossus (18.01.2021
UT is one of the most interesting sounding albums I’ve heard in a long time, and it’s wonderful to hear “obsolete” instruments used to such great effect.
– Jon Davis / Exposé Online (02.01.2021
Ensemble Gamut! approaches early music in a way that is in a league of its own within Finland’s early music scene. Baroque and folk have of course been combined here before, and there is plenty of open-minded attitude in the field, but the distinctive sound world of Gamut!’s debut album is something beyond that.
Ensemble Gamut! lähestyy vanhaa musiikkia tavalla, joka on Suomen vanhan musiikin kentällä aivan omaa luokkaansa. Barokkia ja folkia on täällä toki yhdistelty, ja kentällä on paljon ennakkoluulotonta asennetta, mutta Gamut!in esikoislevyn omaleimainen sointimaailma on jotain vielä enemmän.
– Auli Särkiö-Pitkänen / Rondo (01.01.2021)
The mix of traditional sounds with ancient dance and devotional music, delivered with such love and attention to detail, is a heady brew. Refreshing, soothing, intriguing and enlightening, there’s a wonderful flow through the album in an enthralling and cleansing journey.
– Jez Rowden / The Progressive Aspect (13.12.2020)
The debut album UT is characterized by natural and relaxed musicianship.
Debutskivan UT präglas av ett naturligt och avslappnat musicerande.
– Tove Djupsjöbacka / Hufvudstadsbladet (2.12.2020)
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