Celebrating Finland's Centennial
About This Concert:
Finland declared independence in 1917, and we celebrate its centennial with breathtaking music and musicians from this remarkable Nordic nation.
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Osmo Vänskä, conductor
- Elina Vähälä, violin
AHO
Minea
J. KUUSISTO
Violin Concerto
SIBELIUS
Symphony No. 2
Fun Facts:
- Aho titled Minea in honor of Minneapolis, the city in which it was premiered in 2009.
- Osmo Vänskä picked the violin prodigy Elina Vähälä when she was just 12 to make her debut with his Finnish orchestra, the Lahti Symphony. Vänskä later named Vähälä the orchestra’s “young master soloist.”
- Sibelius’ Second was written in 1901, when Russia had sanctioned Finnish language and culture, and the music has been called the “Symphony of Independence.” It is the most popular of his seven symphonies, famous for its final pages of soaring brass fanfares.
- FinnFest returns! This annual Finnish-American heritage festival began in 1983 in Minneapolis and has moved to a different US city each year. Orchestra Hall is the host site for this year’s FinnFest, including a beautiful Finnish Expo in our lobby!
- Stay after for a NightCap Chamber performance featuring music by Sibelius.
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Celebrating Finland's Centennial
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Celebrating the Finland Centennial
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About This Concert:
Finland declared independence in 1917, and we celebrate its centennial with breathtaking music and musicians from this remarkable Nordic nation.
- Minnesota Orchestra
- Osmo Vänskä, conductor
- Elina Vähälä, violin
AHO
Minea
J. KUUSISTO
Violin Concerto
SIBELIUS
Symphony No. 2
Fun Facts:
- Aho titled Minea in honor of Minneapolis, the city in which it was premiered in 2009.
- Osmo Vänskä picked the violin prodigy Elina Vähälä when she was just 12 to make her debut with his Finnish orchestra, the Lahti Symphony. Vänskä later named Vähälä the orchestra’s “young master soloist.”
- Sibelius’ Second was written in 1901, when Russia had sanctioned Finnish language and culture, and the music has been called the “Symphony of Independence.” It is the most popular of his seven symphonies, famous for its final pages of soaring brass fanfares.
- FinnFest returns! This annual Finnish-American heritage festival began in 1983 in Minneapolis and has moved to a different US city each year. Orchestra Hall is the host site for this year’s FinnFest, including a beautiful Finnish Expo in our lobby!
- Stay after for a NightCap Chamber performance featuring music by Sibelius.
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OH+ Concert activities on Saturday September 23 / see all upcoming OH+ events
Ameriikan Poijat
When: 7-7:45pm Where: Target Atrium Celebrate 100-plus years of Finland’s rich brass band tradition with a performance by septet Ameriikan Poijat, founded by Paul Niemisto and comprised of Finnish American musicians from across the Upper Midwest!
FinnFest Finale NightCap: Vänskä Plays Sibelius
When: 10:30pm performance Where: Auditorium Stay after the concert for a NightCap! Hear a pair of Sibelius' chamber pieces featuring Osmo Vänskä on the clarinet and guest violinist Elina Vähälä. All $10 tickets include one complimentary beverage. Purchase »
FinnFest USA 2017 Tori Marketplace
When: 9am-4:30pm & 6-9pm Where: Orchestra Hall lobby and Peavey Plaza This concert weekend is a part of FinnFest USA 2017, annual Finnish-American heritage festival which originated in Minneapolis in 1983. The festival features a tori community marketplace for vendors, artists and community groups. More info »