The Three folk songs for double mixed choir (1. Tirlil, 2. Sommernacht, 3. Der Spielman) were completed while Mikko Heiniö studied in Berlin, 1977. They were commissioned by Hans Hilsdorf, who was then Heiniö's teacher in orchestra conducting, and he specifically requested folk songs. Although these songs are primarily arrangements, Heiniö wanted to avoid the typical chunk-by-chunk verse structure and provide a continuous texture, instrumental if you like. The text is in Finnish and in German, translation by the composer.