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Oulu Music Festival 2027: Opening Concert -- Trio Gaspard & Hajr Tue 16.3.2027 at 18:30 Madetoja Hall, Oulu Music Centre Leevi Madetojan katu 3, Oulu Duration approx. 2 h (including intermission) The opening concert of Oulu Music Festival 2027 brings Haydn into dialogue with the present day, while European chamber music meets the sounds of the Middle East. The festival opens with an exciting world premiere: a new duet composed by Sampo Kasurinen for Oulu Music Festival's Artistic Director, violist Lilli Maijala, and double bassist Olivier Thiery. The first half of the concert centres on Joseph Haydn -- but from a slightly unexpected perspective. Internationally acclaimed Trio Gaspard is known for its special relationship with Haydn's music and its extensive project exploring the composer's piano trios. In Oulu, the trio will perform Haydn's Piano Trio in A major, "Capriccio". Haydn also emerges in a completely different light. Swiss composer and violinist Helena Winkelman's Threesome in a High-den is a commissioned work by Trio Gaspard that draws on Haydn's life -- from his relationships and old age to the colourful events at the Esterházy court. Winkelman also plays with elements of Haydn's music, examining the composer centuries later in a mischievous, imaginative manner and through a distinctly contemporary musical language. After the interval, the perspective shifts. Iranian-born kamancha master Misagh Joolaee and Palestinian oud artist Bakr Khleifi form the Hajr duo, whose music brings two ancient instrumental traditions together with the composers' own musical worlds. For the evening's finale, they are joined by pianist and Oulu Music Festival's other Artistic Director Kari Ikonen, who has long explored the world of Arabic music. The opening concert takes the listener from Haydn's Vienna and the Esterházy court, through new Finnish music, to the sound worlds of the Middle East. The programme brings different eras, cultures and musical traditions together, offering fresh perspectives on each. PROGRAMME Sampo Kasurinen (b. 1990): Commissioned work for viola and double bass -- world premiere Joseph Haydn (1732--1809): Piano Trio in A major "Capriccio", Hob. XV:35 I. Capriccio (Allegretto) II. Menuet III. Finale (Allegro) Helena Winkelman (b. 1974): Threesome in a High-den I. Xanthippe and the holy brothers II. Gone is all my strength, old and weary I have become III. Pay'd in wine and other Esterházy scandals --- INTERMISSION --- Misagh Joolaee: Khalvat Gozideh Bakr Khleifi: Sharid Bakr Khleifi: Samai Kurd Misagh Joolaee: Bahari PERFORMERS Trio Gaspard Jonian Ilias Kadesha, violin Vashti Hunter, cello Nicholas Rimmer, piano Lilli Maijala, viola Olivier Thiery, double bass Hajr Misagh Joolaee, kamancha Bakr Khleifi, oud Kari Ikonen, piano The concert is part of the 2027 Oulu Music Festival. Explore the full festival program at omj.fi. TICKETS 32 € regular / 27 € pensioner / 19 € student, unemployed, conscripts and non-military serviceman, children (age 3--17). Available through Ticketmaster Finland nationwide. Prices include handling fees. Tickets without handling fees are available from the Valve ticket office. A separate service fee of €3.50 per order is charged when purchasing tickets from the Ticketmaster box office, or €2.00 per order when purchasing from the Ticketmaster online store. A limited number of Kaikukortti-tickets are available. TICKET SALES LOCATIONS Ticketmaster Finland nationwide. Oulu Sinfonia ticket shop, Leevi Madetojan katu 3. Cultural Centre Valve ticket office, Hallituskatu 7. At the door one hour before the concert. ACCESSIBILITY The facilities on the 1st floor of the Music Center are accessible. There are accessible pathways to the lobby areas, halls, and restaurant. An accessible restroom for people with mobility impairments is available in the lobby of Madetoja Hall, on the left side of the cloakroom area. For more information, visit Oulu Music Centre website at www.oulunmusiikkikeskus.fi. Organizer reserves the right to make changes.

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