© Heikki Tuuli, Mikko Mäntyniemi, Teemu Mattson

Under the Northern Sky

Johanna Rusanen, soprano
Ville Rusanen, baritone
Jukka Nykänen, piano

Throughout the ages, Finnish nature has been a source of inspiration and creative power for Finnish artists. The endless light of bright summer nights, the diamond shimmer of snowy winter landscapes, the comforting embrace of ancient forests, and the primeval beauty of lakes shifting from calm to storm — nature is the soulscape of the Finnish people.

In this concert, Johanna and Ville Rusanen, together with pianist Jukka Nykänen, have assembled a collection of pieces close to their hearts. The programme is built around Finnish nature, the cycle of the seasons, and the human experience within it all. The concert will journey from the beloved Suvivirsi hymn to songs by Yrjö Kilpinen, Leevi Madetoja, Erkki Melartin, Selim Palmgren, and of course, Jean Sibelius.

The texts of celebrated Finnish poets V.A. Koskenniemi, Eino Leino, Otto Manninen, Ilpo Tiihonen, and Helvi Juvonen give voice to the profound relationship between Finns and nature. The programme also includes Jukka Nykänen’s masterful arrangement of the folk tune Karjalan kunnailla, as well as Aulis Sallinen's song cycle Look to the Northern Sky, premiered by Johanna and Ville Rusanen in 2017, now returning to Urkuyö ja Aaria's summer night.

Duration approx. 75 minutes, no intermission.

Tickets €15–35 + order fees (from €1.50 + 0.65% per order at www.lippu.fi)