The 35th anniversary of the Oulu Music Festival will feature a vibrant selection of performances, including a family-friendly big band concert, game music, a cappella, and dance \u2013 along with the Oulu Music Festival\u2019s 35th Anniversary Concert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Oulu Music Festival has been held since 1991, with roots in the Madetoja Week event from the 1980s. For nearly 35 years, the festival has delivered profound emotions, musical collaboration, and a rich musical heritage. The anniversary program features classical music and rhythm music, both central to the festival\u2019s history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe anniversary program is like a delicious celebration cake\u2014full of captivating delights, with layers and toppings to suit all tastes! I can hardly wait to share these experiences with the audience,\u201d exclaims the Music Festival\u2019s Acting Managing Director, Maria Mannermaa<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2025 program has been curated by the festival's artistic directors, soprano Mari Palo<\/strong> and pianist-composer Kari Ikonen<\/strong>. The full program will be released on the Oulu Music Festival channels later in 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The festival's visual identity for 2025 has been designed by Oulu-based visual designer and illustrator Anna Sofia Vuorinen<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n In honor of the festival\u2019s 35th anniversary, Finnish a cappella powerhouse Club For Five<\/strong> will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Known across Finland and internationally, the group will perform a comprehensive retrospective of their career and a look into the future in the Festival Opening Concert at Madetoja Hall on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 18:30. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Atte Kilpisen<\/strong> and Valtteri Lehtisen<\/strong> Scenes from the Red God <\/strong>is a dramatic dialogue-dance piece that explores life, death, and love. The work draws inspiration from ancient myths and mystical paintings, blending music, acting, and dance. This production, created in collaboration with JoJo - Oulu Dance Center<\/strong> , will be performed at Madetoja Hall on Sunday, March 16, at 15:00. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For game music fans, the SCORE \u2013 ORCHESTRAL GAME MUSIC<\/strong> will take place at Madetoja Hall on Thursday, March 20, and Friday, March 21, 2025. Oulu Symphony will bring to life some of the most exciting and beloved video game scores in a concert that transports the audience to symphonic journeys in wondrous worlds and adventures. The program will feature fan favorites like Assassin\u2019s Creed, Super Mario, and The Last of Us, as well as new additions like Sonic the Hedgehog and Bloodborne. Known for her stunning video game music interpretations, soprano Sabina Zweiacker<\/strong> will perform pieces such as \u201cLullaby of Woe\u201d from The Witcher and \u201cThe Dragonborn Comes\u201d from Skyrim. SCORE producer Orvar S\u00e4fstr\u00f6m<\/strong> will host the evening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The avant-garde melodrama Moonstruck Pierrot<\/strong> will take the audience into the mad world of Pierrot at Madetoja Hall on Saturday, March 22, at 18:00. A cult classic, this piece follows the story of Pierrot, addressing themes of love, madness, and death. An unreal atmosphere is created by the soprano\u2019s Sprechstimme, a style that lies between singing and speaking. Maria Ylip\u00e4\u00e4's<\/strong> extraordinary stage charisma and Calr Knif's<\/strong> brilliant direction bring the audience into Pierrot\u2019s world. In the second half, music from the cultural scene of early 20th-century Berlin will be featured, including works inspired by or from Babylon Berlin, Spoliansky, and Marzi Nyman. <\/strong>from Babylon Berlin, Spoliansky, and Marzi Nyman. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The 35th Anniversary Concert will take place at Madetoja Hall on Friday, March 18, at 18:30.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n The concert opens with Kullervo Overture, a symphonic poem by Leevi Madetoja, a prominent figure in Finnish Romantic music, followed by beloved songs by Jean Sibelius, arranged by the late Jaakko Kuusisto Jaakko Kuusiston<\/strong> , former Artistic Director of Oulu Music Festival. After intermission, pianist Anton Mejias will perform as the soloist in Maurice Ravel\u2019s Piano Concerto in G major. The current Artistic Director Kari Ikonen's<\/strong> piece Guezo will bring a West African rhythm to the evening, looking toward the future. The evening's final pieces will feature Ikonen along with the festival\u2019s former Artistic Director, saxophonist Jukka Perko<\/strong>. The magnificent Oulu Symphony, which has been a festival partner since the pre-festival Madetoja Week, will be the concert\u2019s powerful backbone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The celebrations will kick off with interviews highlighting the festival\u2019s history at Restaurant Preludi at 17:45 before the concert. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The festival has a tradition of family programming, and this anniversary year is no exception. The Magic Blanket concert, featuring OASBB and Satu Sopanen, promises fun and sing-alongs for the whole family. Emmy Award-winning Satu Sopanen, familiar from Pikku Kakkonen, will take audiences on a joyful adventure around the world with the Oulu All Star Big Band, with familiar friends like Mouse Hupakko and Camel, not to mention the classic Hunting the Lion. Ralf Nyqvist will conduct the concert. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Magic Blanket concert will take place at Valvesali Hall in Cultural Center Valve on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 14:00. Recommended for ages 4 and up. <\/p>\n\n\n\nMadetoja Hall Presents a Range of Grand Productions \u2013 Including Dance, A Cappella, and Game Music<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Oulu Music Festival\u2019s 35th Anniversary Concert Features Works Including Sibelius Arranged by Jaakko Kuusisto <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Satu Sopanen and OASBB Invite Kids and the Young at Heart on an Adventure with The Magic Blanket <\/h5>\n\n\n\n