Virtuoso Guest Soloists, Queen’s Rock Classics, and the Nature of Lapland Featured in Jyväskylä Sinfonia’s Spring Season

In January, the celebrated pianist Mackenzie Melemed, beloved by Finnish audiences, will be featured as a soloist performing Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto. The concert will be conducted by Lithuanian Adomas Morkūdas, who will complete his conducting exam with this concert, also featuring Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1, known as Classical.

The orchestra’s own oboist, Inoko Isobe, will step into the solo role in February with Richard Strauss’s Oboe Concerto, conducted by Gordon Hunt, making his debut with Jyväskylä Sinfonia.

Principal guest conductor Okko Kamu will continue the Sibelius cycle in April with Symphony No. 2. Mezzo-soprano Virpi Räisänen will be the soloist, performing Outi Tarkiainen’s song cycle Eanan, giđa nieida (Earth, Daughter of Spring), sung in Northern Sámi.
 

Chief Conductor Lorenzo Passerini’s March concerts 

Chief conductor Lorenzo Passerini will lead the finale of the Juhani Heinonen Violin Competition at the start of March. Founded in 1977, the competition marks the 100th anniversary of its founder's birth in 2025.

Passerini will also conduct a series of three concerts on 13.-15.3., where Jyväskylä Sinfonia and Lohja City Orchestra will join forces. These concerts, held in Jyväskylä, Lohja, and the Temppeliaukio Church in Helsinki, will celebrate composer Erkki Melartin’s 150th anniversary.

Valtiontalo opens its doors for Valentine’s day ball 

The Defence corps building (Valtiontalo), designed by Alvar Aalto, will finally open its doors to the public after a long restoration. The grand ballroom will host a Valentine’s Day ball, with dance music provided by the 10-member salon orchestra of Jyväskylä Sinfonia. The event will be hosted by dancers Mimmi Salo and Jaakko Kulmala and organized in cooperation with Arto Hakanen from the Old Courtyard of Toivola. 

Karl Jenkins’ cult work to be performed during Easter week 

The Easter concert at Taulumäki Church will feature British composer Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater, promising a unique and distinctive Easter experience. Known for Adiemus, Jenkins blends traditional Western music with Middle Eastern instruments and vocals. The vibrant Kipinät Choir, led by Kaisa Halmemies, will play a significant role in the performance.

Rajaton’s Queen concerts and Erja Lyytinen’s blues riffs enchant in entertainment concerts 

The vocal ensemble Rajaton, which drew full houses last year, returns as a soloist with Jyväskylä Sinfonia to perform two concerts of legendary Queen music. February’s concerts will include hits such as We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, and The Show Must Go On, with orchestral arrangements by Jaakko Kuusisto.

Renowned as one of the world’s best blues guitarists, Erja Lyytinen will showcase her captivating stage presence and voice on Saturday 29.3. Conducted by Antti Rissanen, the concert will offer an exciting blend of traditional blues and progressive soundscapes.

A concert for the whole family celebrates Pentti Rasinkangas 

The grand old man of Finnish children’s music, Pentti Rasinkangas, turns 70 next year and will present a jubilee concert on 23.4., featuring the best children’s songs from his composing career in new orchestral arrangements. Arja Koriseva, who is also celebrating a milestone, will be the second soloist, joined by the choir from Jyväskylä’s music classes.

Tango-Themed May Day concert and Tunturin tarina movie concert end the season 

The much-anticipated May Day Eve concert returns with a unique tango experience. Behind Everything – Tango concert, which charmed audiences at the 2018 Proms Festival in London, will be brought to the Jyväskylä audience. Hosted by soprano Helena Juntunen and led by Timo Hietala, the concert will journey through Argentine tango, Astor Piazzolla’s tango nuevo, and Finnish tango traditions.

The spring season concludes with a film concert showcasing Tunturin tarina (Tale of the Sleeping Giant), accompanied by live music on a large screen. The movie takes viewers through the wilderness of Lapland to the Arctic Ocean, featuring animals such as bears, ermines, ptarmigans, and snowy owls. Suitable for the whole family, recommended for ages 6 and up.

Spring ticket sales start on Monday 11.11.

Single, season, and series tickets for the spring season go on sale on Monday 11.11. The Tutti season ticket includes eight concerts with reserved seating and offers a range of benefits for ticket holders during concert nights and from various partners. Season tickets are available until 30.12.

The Quartet series ticket includes four concerts from both entertainment and symphonic performances, allowing concertgoers to attend once a month. The Trio series ticket lets you choose three symphonic concerts from the spring program. Series tickets save 10 % compared to single ticket prices. Students should remember the Presto last-minute ticket, which offers highly discounted admission to symphonic concerts an hour before the performance, subject to availability.

New for spring, VIP tickets for wheelchair users will be available, located in the private space on the 4th floor of the Paviljonki. This space offers a direct view of the Encore Hall stage and allows for watching the concert in comfort and privacy, with adjustable sound levels through closing glass windows. Four tickets for wheelchair users and accompanying persons are available.

Tickets can be purchased at the Jyväskylä-piste ticket office in the Forum shopping center, 2nd floor, open Mon-Fri at 10–17. Jyväskylä Sinfonia’s online store operates 24/7 at jyvaskylasinfonia.lippu.fi. Tickets can also be bought through Lippu.fi and at sales points nationwide. In Jyväskylä, sales points are located at Prisma Seppälä and K-Citymarket Keljo info desks.

Explore the full spring concert program here!