We should also not forget the jew's harp, which is the second main instrument of double bass player Tapani Varis . T allari , the first professional folk music ensemble to receive Government funding, is a highly skilled ensemble who have taken it upon themselves to present Finnish folk music in all its aspects. Its members have sought out areas and genres in the Finnish musical tradition that would otherwise have sunk into oblivion. T he excellent work done by Nils-Aslak Valkeap in reforming S mi music has been continued in recent years, particularly with the yoik, by Wimme and Angelit . The strong musical tradition of the Swedish-speaking Finns has also been perpetuated by young musicians, most notably by Gjallarhorn .
T here is much interest in the folk music of other countries in Finland, too.
Slobo Horo specializes in Balkan music. The great Finnish name in Cuban music is Septeto Son . S everal bands have sought influences even farther afield, from several sources or even fictitious sources. I t is not so long ago that Finland was abashed and prejudiced about its own musical heritage. For this reason, it is particularly encouraging that folk music should have become a trailblazer for the country's entire musical culture in such a short space of time.