Arttu Takalo, Mikko Kuustonen - Pont Neuf

vkalnysh

Review by Валерий Калныш

Album Review: Pont Neuf by Arttu Takalo & Mikko Kuustonen Released in 2002 under the EMI label, Pont Neuf is a Finnish classical gem that showcases the multifaceted talents of Arttu Takalo and Mikko Kuustonen. This album doesn’t just stick to one mood—it shifts between somber introspection and uplifting brilliance, making it hard to pin down but impossible to forget. The genre may be classical, but the style feels refreshingly modern at times, almost like they’re whispering secrets from another era. One track that sticks out is “Kun Aika On.” It’s hauntingly beautiful, with Mikko Kuustonen’s harmonica weaving through layers of strings and woodwinds like a ghost walking through an old house. The interplay between Milla Unkila’s French horn and Jenni Suhonen’s trumpet adds this cinematic quality—you can almost picture yourself standing on a misty bridge somewhere in Finland. You know those moments when music feels bigger than you? Yeah, this track does that. And let’s not skip over the cello work by Eeva-Maria Nurmi; it grounds everything while still letting your imagination wander off into the clouds. Then there’s “When I Fall,” which flips the vibe entirely. If “Kun Aika On” feels like twilight, this one feels like dawn breaking after a long night. The guitars, courtesy of Esa Kaartamo and Jarmo Nikku, bring a warmth that contrasts beautifully with the more traditional orchestral elements. There’s something about how Seppo Helin’s piano lines dance around the mix—it’s subtle, yet it pulls you right into the center of the song. It’s kinda like finding sunlight streaming through cracks in a wall—you didn’t expect it, but now you can’t stop looking at it. What makes Pont Neuf stand apart isn’t just its technical brilliance (though trust me, the credits alone read like a who’s who of Finnish musicians). No, what really hits home is how personal it feels. Tracks like “Pelkään Pimeää” even feature speech from Samuli Edelmann, adding a rawness that breaks any pretense of perfection. These aren’t just compositions—they’re stories told through sound, each note carrying its own weight. And hey, here’s a quirky thing: for all its polish, the mastering was done by Heikki Savolainen, whose touch gives the album a clarity that doesn’t feel cold or detached. Add Jouni Leskinen’s design work, and you’ve got an album that looks as good as it sounds. Reflecting on Pont Neuf, it strikes me how rare it is to find an album where every role—from composer to engineer—feels so purposeful. Maybe that’s why it lingers in your mind long after the last note fades. Or maybe it’s because listening to it feels like taking a journey without knowing where you’ll end up. Either way, it’s worth revisiting again and again. Who knew Finnish classical could feel this alive? Rating: 8.5/10

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: arttu-takalo-mikko-kuustonen-pont-neuf.zip
  • MP3 size: 37 mb
  • FLAC size: 303.5 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Kun Aika On3:43
Pelkään Pimeää3:58
Pont Neuf1:38
When I Fall6:32
Searching For A Home2:53

Images

Album herunterladen Arttu Takalo, Mikko Kuustonen - Pont Neuf

Catalog Numbers

7243 551284 2 3

Labels

EMI

Listen online

  • escuchar en línea
  • ouvir online
  • online anhören
  • ascolta in linea
  • lyssna på nätet
  • écouter en ligne
  • online luisteren
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • lytte på nettet

Formats

  • CD
  • Album

Companies

RoleCompany
Recorded AtSeawolf Studios
Mixed AtPetrax Studios
Mastered AtFinnvox
Produced ForMedicine Man Productions
Made ByCD-Linja OY

Credits

RoleCredit
BassoonBence Boganyi (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
CelloEeva-Maria Nurmi (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Päivi Ahonen
ClarinetEeva Mäenluoma (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
Composed ByArttu Takalo (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
Orchestrated ByArttu Takalo (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
ConductorArttu Takalo (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Jani Telaranta (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
ContrabassAnssi Växby (tracks: 2, 4), Iiro Kautto (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Ville Väätäinen (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
DesignJouni Leskinen
EngineerArttu Takalo (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
ProducerArttu Takalo (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
Mixed ByArttu Takalo (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
Mastered ByHeikki Savolainen (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
Executive ProducerMikko Kuustonen
FluteElina Vuorela (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
French HornMilla Unkila (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
GuitarEsa Kaartamo (tracks: 2, 4), Jarmo Nikku (tracks: 2, 4), Marzi Nyman (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
HarmonicaMikko Kuustonen (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
Lyrics ByArttu Takalo (tracks: 5), Mikko Kuustonen (tracks: 5)
Music ByMikko Kuustonen (tracks: 2, 4)
OboeAnna Mantere (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
OrganEsa Kaartamo (tracks: 2, 4)
PhotographyAri Talusén, Jari Kivelä
PianoSeppo Helin (tracks: 2, 4)
SpeechSamuli Edelmann (tracks: 5)
TrumpetJenni Suhonen (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
ViolaHeidi Toivonen (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Lotta Poijärvi, Mauri Kuokkanen (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Mikko Perkola (tracks: 2, 4)
ViolinAnna Kahanpää (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Anna-Leena Haikola (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Ilkka Lehtonen (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Istvan Szalay (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Kaisa Laurila (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Katariina Junnila (tracks: 2, 4), Maija Linkola (tracks: 2, 4), Manna Lahti (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Riikka Sundqvist (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Sakari Laukola (tracks: 2, 4), Susanna Suorttanen (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
VocalsMikko Kuustonen (tracks: 2, 4)

Notes

  • "Pont Neuf" - album is produced exclusively for Neurology Foundation of Finland.
  • Printed in EU
  • Packaging: Standard jewel case housed in an outer slip case

Barcodes

  • Label Code: LC 0542
  • Rights Society (Circled): bel BIEM

About Arttu Takalo, Mikko Kuustonen

Finnish vibraphonist, percussionist, composer and band leader. Born on September 18, 1971 in Kouvola, Finland. Brother of .

Real Name

    • Arttu Takalo

Name Vars

  • A. Takalo
  • A.Takalo
  • Takalo
  • Themanintheshadows

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s something cool: The album *Pont Neuf* by Arttu Takalo and Mikko Kuustonen is like a musical puzzle where nearly every track has its own unique lineup of musicians. For example, tracks 1, 3, and 5 feature a rich classical ensemble with instruments like the bassoon, cello, and clarinet, while tracks 2 and 4 switch things up with guitar and organ taking center stage. And get this—Arttu Takalo didn’t just compose and orchestrate those tracks; he also wore the hats of conductor, engineer, producer, mixer, and even played some roles himself! Talk about multitasking genius. Oh, and let’s not forget the harmonica sneaking into the mix—it adds this unexpected, quirky charm to an otherwise classic vibe.