Purppuri is a Nordic project and a quartet formed in 2025.
Members:
Esko Järvelä – viola, tenor guitar
Johan Hedin – octave nyckelharpa
Jorun Marie Kvernberg – fiddle, Hardanger fiddle
Mads Kjøller Henningsen – flute, bagpipes
Drawing inspiration from 18th and 19th century manuscripts, they allow the music to take root in our own era – creating social spaces where folk dance and folk music unite people.
The recording is an excerpt from the premiere at Folkelarm in Oslo, Norway, in November 2025. The work was commisioned by FolkOrg, the Norwegian Folk Music Organization.
The name Purppuri originates from an old Finnish wedding dance composed of various dance styles. It has the power to unite people for hours, serving as a celebration of life and love. It could bring people together for hours – a celebration of both life and love. With Purppuri, the musicians want to create a dance concert where tunes are woven into one another, forming long, uninterrupted sessions, and build an atmosphere that allows the audience to slip into a flow – where music and dance merge, and community can grow without the need for words.
Behind Purppuri are four Nordic folk musicians who invite the audience into the music through dance. Johan Hedin, Esko Järvelä, Mads Kjøller Henningsen, and Jorun Marie Kvernberg are highly respected figures on the Nordic folk music scene. Together, they embody both living traditions and pioneering
contemporary folk music.