Retuperän WBK
RETUPERÄN WBK, The Retuperä Voluntary Fire Brigade Band, is indubitably the world's best newer-French-horn-music-playing technology student orchestra from Aalto University in Espoo. Retuperän WBK was founded in 1933 - coincidentally, very soon after prohibition was lifted. In its first performance in 1933, Retuperä played classic melodies on old brass horns (purchased by the kilogram) and performed oratory feats as well as gymnastics. Throughout its existence, Retuperän WBK has made its mission to cause disapproval among the serious-minded.
Retuperän WBK consists of more or less than seven chemically enhanced fire fighters. In the musical output of these courageous individuals one can easily point out the hand-picked and carefully placed correct notes within the constant flow of controlled chaos. This gives Retuperän WBK a distinctive quality that other orchestras can only attempt to emulate. Due to the stochastic nature of each of Retuperän WBK's performances, the audience and sometimes even the musicians themselves are stunned by the outcome. During its history, Retuperän WBK has become known for keeping spirits high. In fact, spirits are kept on the highest shelves.
Gigs
During our gigs we - among other things - play music, which, frankly, speaks for itself. The music is supplemented by impassionated speeches that adhere to the ISO-00132 standard for fire-themed humour. Language will not be a barrier here and you will have the unique opportunity to hear pieces such as Red #38, Barndomsminnen.
Our gigs consist of cocktail parties, student parties, political parties, Wappu (1st of May), weddings, random occasions and spontaneous sessions among enthusiastic fire fighters. However, anyone can call RWBK at any time in case of a musical mayday (+358 50 525 2191).
Traditions have followed us ever since 1933, and much like the first performance, gigs nowadays also include old ball room music and thematic rants. The trial members’ gymnastics can only be seen in concerts, however. Älä katkaise letkua!
Concerts
Retuperän WBK performs at Finlandia Hall every other year. Finlandia Hall concerts present adaptations of unknown pieces by the greatest composers of history, arranged for Retuperä by Simeon Suihkutsalo. Concerts occur in March or April during odd years. Occasionally RWBK concerts can be heard also in Finnish provinces or abroad. See the main page for upcoming events.
Recordings
Our recording Retusointia has received a five-star review from the critics at SA-CD.net.
They are the clowns of classical music, and I do hope someone puts them
up for a Grammy. Recommended to anyone with a sense of humour, and essential listening
for those lonely people with perfect pitch.
– John Miller, SA-CD.net, June 18th, 2011
Retuperä has also made several other recordings, though none of them have been world or even national records. Some of them are available for sale:
- Retuperän WBK:n valioita sarja 1, LP 1966
- Retuperä Goes Crazy, LP 1968
- Retuperän WBK:n valioita sarja 3, LP 1972
- Retuperä Konserttilavoilla, LP 1973
- Walpurin välilevy, EP 1983
- Palaa taas, LP 1985
- Palaa taas, CD 1985
- Pomp and Circusdance, CD 1993
- Elomme Päivät, CD 1996
- Sammutuskalusto 1933-2003, 2xCD 2003 (in stock)
- Retusointia, SA-CD 2011 (in stock)
- Kuin äänilevyltä, CD 2016 (in stock)
To place your order, please send an email to: rwbk@rwbk.fi.
You can find all our recordings on Spotify.
Contact us
There are many ways to complete your RWBK fire-order. The thing in common with them is that since we may be in a hurry for some reason or another, though usually for apparent reason. However, we encourage You to tell us well before the fire is about to take place. Professional fire protection needs thorough preparation. All non-flammable liquids need to be removed from the place of fire in order to guarantee the unparallelled propagation of the conflagration. We can take care of all drinkable and flammable material.
The Classified Contact Catalogue of RWBK:
Mail service
Retuperän WBK
Post BOX 69
02151 ESPOO
Finland
Telephone
+358 9 428 34 911 (Fire Station)
+358 50 525 2191 (Hosemaster Leevi Letkutsalo)
WWW
http://www.rwbk.fi/ (are you lost?)