Kanteles of Laasanen family

Towards 1900 many changes occured in the kantele-making tradition of the Perho River Valley (Perhonjokilaakso). Kanteles had a strong influence in this area, and especially in Veteli. My grandfather Leander Laasanen (1892-1985) spent his whole childhood with kanteles, because of Juho Karikko, who lived in the neighbourhood and built and played kanteles. Karikko taught my grandfather to play the kantele and inspired him with the enthuasiasm to make them. Aged 12, Leander builded his first kantele and continued throughout his life until he reached 90 years.

At first Leander made traditional triangular-shaped kanteles, two of the sides being straight and the third (with tuning pins) was either straight or curved. In the year 1930 he begun to curve the third side. The kantele also gained a string-damping mechanism and a decorated left hand rest. In the first of Leander´s kanteles the strings were radiated fanwise, but he gradually changed over to regular spacing. He co-operated on concert kanteles with Paul Salminen. The number of strings became established at around 34 or 36. Leander made a total of more than 300 kanteles, which are still played all over Finland and are also heard in many other countries.

My father Kullervo Laasanen (b. 1935) continued the kantele-making tradition. He has played kantele alone and in various groups. Kullervo made the same model as Leander. Following my father´s and grandfather´s work, my enthuasism for instrument-making grew very early on. At first I made kanteles, but along with playing the violin and viola I became interested in violin-making too. I studied at the Scandinavian violin-making school in Leksand in Sweden (1986-1990). Since 1992 I have made stringed instruments and kanteles in my own workshop in Veteli (near Kaustinen). I make the traditional models of my family and develop new kanteles.

My enthuasism and the basis for my work is based in my skill in playing the kantele. Many new ideas await realisation.

Kantele-makers of the Perho River Valley:

Lyre shaped soundhole decorating kantele made by Leander Laasanen at the beginning of 1900's.

Tuning pins of Laasanen kanteles, made by Jussi Laasanen.

36-string Perho River Valley kantele, made by Jussi and Kullervo Laasanen 1998.