Finnish musician sings at King Harald V’s funeral in Oslo

Twenty-five-year-old flutist Peetu Karjalainen from Kajaani performed at the funeral of Norway’s King Harald V on Wednesday, Yle reported. Karjalainen sings in the choir of Oslo Cathedral, which provided the church music for the service.

“The atmosphere was heavy, but as a choir we were able to bring joy through music. You felt that you were important when you stood there,” Karjalainen said by phone shortly after the service.

He described the ceremony as a balance between joy and grief. Members of several European royal families and national leaders attended in Oslo. Finland was represented by President Alexander Stubb and his spouse, Suzanne Innes-Stubb.

Familiar hymn moved him most

The cathedral choir had only one week to learn an entirely new programme for the funeral. Karjalainen said preparations went according to plan apart from a few minor mistakes. The atmosphere was good, and the musicians were able to perform freely.

The piece that affected Karjalainen most was the hymn “Maa on niin kaunis”, which is also familiar to Finns. Because he already knew the words and melody, he said he was able to focus fully on the message and the music.

The choir and orchestra performed from the gallery while guests sat in the main part of the church. Karjalainen said the sensitivity of the occasion could also be felt among the choir.

“The atmosphere of grief spread to us,” he said.

Started playing the flute at eight

Karjalainen studies at the Norwegian Academy of Music, where the flute is his principal instrument. He has sung in the Oslo Cathedral choir for four years.

Music is part of his daily life. When he is not singing or playing, he listens to music and analyses songs. His mother has said that he was already singing approximately in tune at the age of three.

Karjalainen began playing the flute at eight. He studied in music-focused classes and at a music upper secondary school before continuing his studies in Oslo.

After the king’s funeral service, he did not take a break. He said he was heading to school to practise for the auditions taking place this autumn.