4.5.2026
Jyväskylä Sinfonia’s autumn season brings international top guests and many forms of singing to the stage
A strong theme of the autumn season is singing in its many forms. During the season, audiences will hear the virtuoso vocal ensemble Club For Five as well as Finnish rock legend Pauli Hanhiniemi. Giuseppe Verdi’s powerful Requiem, performed with soloists and a large choir, will illuminate the darkening autumn, as will a large community sing-along concert with numerous children’s choirs from the city. The season concludes with a traditional Christmas concert and the Christmas Carols sing-along at Taulumäki Church.
Flutist Patrick Gallois returns to Jyväskylä
Patrick Gallois, Jyväskylä Sinfonia’s emeritus chief conductor and a beloved figure among audiences, appears as a soloist in the opening concert, performing Carl Reinecke’s flute concerto. The concert is conducted by Anna-Maria Helsing.
Another major highlight in September is Näyttelykuvia (Pictures at an Exhibition), where Jyväskylä Sinfonia is joined by Kuopio Symphony Orchestra. The concert is conducted by internationally renowned maestro Karen Kamensek, and violin soloist Isabelle van Keulen will perform.
Lorenzo Passerini continues Brahms symphony cycle
Chief conductor Lorenzo Passerini will conduct all of Johannes Brahms’ symphonies in Jyväskylä during his tenure, and this autumn features Symphony No. 3. It is paired with Brahms’ Double Concerto for violin and cello, performed by orchestra’s solo cellist Ilkka Kauppi and 16-year-old violin prodigy Leea Mattila.
In another November concert, Jyväskylä Sinfonia’s own solo violist Grigory Tsyganov appears as soloist in Arvo Pärt’s Fratres. Tsyganov also performs the world premiere of Italian contemporary composer Simone Piraino’s new work Iam et nondum. The concert also features a large ensemble of over 100 string players, bringing together four orchestras of the Finnish Music Campus in Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Concerto grosso.
Verdi’s Requiem in collaboration with Oulu Sinfonia
Giuseppe Verdi’s monumental Requiem will be performed in Jyväskylä for the first time in over 30 years during All Saints’ Week, in cooperation with Oulu Sinfonia. The soloists include soprano Marjukka Tepponen, mezzo-soprano Melissa Zgouridi, tenor Markus Nykänen, bass Matti Turunen, and the Jyväskylä Opera Choir coached by Rita Varonen. Performances will take place in both Jyväskylä and at Madetoja Hall in Oulu, conducted by the experienced maestro Pablo Mielgo.
Red Nose Company takes audiences on a journey through orchestral music history
Red Nose Company, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary as a pioneer of theatrical clowning in Finland, takes audiences on a lively journey through the history of Finnish orchestral music from the 18th century to the present day. The History of Finnish Music combines theatre and concert music into a unique whole. Jyväskylä Sinfonia is conducted by violinist Antti Tikkanen (also known from Meta4), with actors Timo Ruuskanen and Tuukka Vasama on stage. The production is suitable for both classical music lovers and first-time concertgoers.
Club For Five, Pauli Hanhiniemi, and community singing in the spotlight
A long-awaited wish comes true as Finland’s acclaimed vocal ensemble Club For Five performs with Jyväskylä Sinfonia. The concert features highlights from their 25-year career in orchestral arrangements conducted by Nick Davies.
Rock lyric legend Pauli Hanhiniemi appears in October as soloist with Jyväskylä Sinfonia under Antti Rissanen. The concert includes orchestral versions of his best-known songs such as Tästä asti aikaa, Valehtelisin jos väittäisin, and Muutkin mokaa.
In November, audiences of all ages are invited to sing beloved children’s classics at the Let’s Sing Together! concert in Encore Hall. The programme includes favourites such as Päivänsäde ja menninkäinen, Tiku ja Taku, and Viikonpäivät, led by local children’s choirs.
In December: Chopin, Christmas music, and sing-along traditions
Pianist Janne Mertanen performs Chopin’s Second Piano Concerto in early December, conducted by Joonas Pitkänen, alongside works by Bartók, Klami, and Leiviskä.
The traditional Christmas concert features soprano Marjukka Tepponen, violinist Elias Lassfolk in Vivaldi’s Winter from The Four Seasons, and conductor Maximilian Fagerlund. The programme also includes music by Bach, Handel, and Tchaikovsky.
The season concludes with the Christmas Carols sing-along on 11.12. at Taulumäki Church, conducted by Ilkka Aunu.
Coffee concerts and village visits
Before the season begins, summer coffee concerts will be held at the Old Vicarage, featuring light classical music from tango to Italian pieces. During the performances, savoury and sweet pastries from the Old Vicarage will be enjoyed.
In November, orchestra’s chamber ensemble will visit village halls across the region, as a chamber music quintet performs at Harjulinna in Muurasjärvi and at the Konginkangas village hall. The concerts are organized in cooperation with local village associations, and the tickets also include interval refreshments.
The same programme will also be performed in Jyväskylä at Kulttuurisuoja on 5.11., featuring chamber music by Sibelius, Mozart, and Dvořák.
Autumn ticket sales have begun
Tickets are now on sale, including Solo single tickets, Tutti season tickets, and Kvartetti and Trio series tickets.
The Tutti season ticket includes eight concerts and various benefits. Season tickets are available until 27.8., Kvartetti tickets until 30.9.
Kvartetti series ticket includes four concerts:
• 30.9.: Symphonic Club For Five
• 9.10.: Jyväskylä Sinfonia & Pauli Hanhiniemi: A Heart Only Half Full
• 21.10.: Jyväskylä Sinfonia & Red Nose Company: The History of Finnish Music
• 3.12.: Dance and Storytelling
Trio series ticket allows selection of three concerts, with a 10% discount.
Students can use the Presto last-minute ticket for 7 €, available one hour before concerts if seats remain.
Tickets are available from the ticket office called Jyväskylä-piste, located on the 2nd floor of the Forum shopping center, open Mon-Fri from 10–17 (on June-July, on Mon-Fri at 10–16). Tickets can also be purchased anytime online at jyvaskylasinfonia.lippu.fi. Additionally, tickets are available via Lippu.fi and its nationwide outlets. In Jyväskylä, ticket outlet is located at the info desk of K-Citymarket Keljo.