Nordic Soundscapes Festival
Jan 3-17, 2026
Cozy fires, crafted cocktails, and the gentle hum of anticipation illuminate winter nights at Orchestra Hall — where your Nordic musical journey begins. Be moved by music shaped by solitude, long darkness, quiet landscapes and stillness, performed by your Minnesota Orchestra, featuring Music Director Thomas Søndergård and guest artists.
Nordic Soundscapes: Your Winter Sanctuary
Get your tickets now to the ultimate winter music festival! Hear sounds to warm your winter and pieces bound to inspire. Come early for performances and experiences from Nordic partner organizations.
Visit our Nordic Soundscapes Marketplace where you'll enjoy food, beverages, wares and a festive lounge space from Krown Bakery, Ingebretsen's, Vikre Distillery, Danish Teak, Event Lab and more.
Celebrating in partnership with
Steve Hackman's Bartók X Björk
Sat Jan 3, 2026 - 7PM
Bartók X Björk is an exploration of the avant-garde and adventurous, synthesizing the music of two of the 20th century’s most ingenious musicians. Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra is fused with the music of Björk selected from her first three albums, including songs like "Human Behaviour," "Hyperballad" and "Army of Me." These two composers from different genres are beloved for similar reasons: their radical and colorful musical language, extremes of emotional expression and thrilling modernism.
JAN 3 - 6:30-7:45PM
Danish papercutting with Sonja Peterson presented in partnership with the Danish American Center, Minneapolis.
Søndergård and Ehnes
Thu Jan 8, 2026 - 11AM
Fri Jan 9, 2026 - 8PM
James Ehnes was a teenager when he made his debut with the Minnesota Orchestra at Symphony Ball in 1993. He’s been back many times since, and we’re thrilled to have him play Sibelius during this year’s Nordic Soundscapes festival. And our favorite Dane, Thomas Søndergård, invites you to embrace the First Symphony by Carl Nielsen, one of Denmark’s heroes.
JAN 8 - 9:30-10:45AM
Lego Building with the Museum of Danish America, Elk Horn, IA
JAN 9 - 6:30-7:45PM
Finnish music highlighting themes of migration and cultural heritage in partnership with FinnFest and the Finnish American Association, Minnesota, a Chapter of Finlandia Foundation National.
Chamber Music in the Hall with James Ehnes
Sat Jan 10, 2026 - 7PM
Members of the Minnesota Orchestra join violinist James Ehnes for an evening of chamber music on the Orchestra Hall stage.
JAN 10 - 6:15-6:45PM
Nordic Voices with the Blake Chamber Orchestra, Minneapolis
Søndergård Conducts Sibelius
Fri Jan 16, 2026 - 8PM
Sat Jan 17, 2026 - 7PM
Week two of the Nordic Soundscapes festival takes us back to Sibelius, this time with his maiden voyage as a composer of symphonies. Turns out, he was more than ready to take the plunge. We also return to Denmark, with a deeply moving song cycle by Hans Abrahamsen that tells the story of Hamlet’s Ophelia from her perspective.
Friday Post-concert: Mingle with musicians onstage at a post-concert reception.
JAN 16 - 6:30-7:45PM
Icelandic costumes, textiles and customs presented in partnership with the Icelandic Hekla Club, Minneapolis
JAN 17 - 5:30-6:45PM
Swedish woodworking and Nordic folk music on the Nyckelharpa with Renee Vaughan. Presented in partnership with the American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis
"Hygge lives on at the Minnesota Orchestra"
—The New York Times
