Oulu Sinfonia is Finland’s northernmost symphony orchestra, performing weekly at the Madetoja Hall in the Oulu Music Centre. The core repertoire consists of season concerts, complemented by operas, stage productions, film concerts, ethnomusic, jazz, and other rhythmic music performances as well as annual programmes for children and youngsters.
The autumn season begins with outreach tours to care homes, schools and workplaces across the region. In 2024, the orchestra’s approximately 160 events reached a record-breaking audience of 54,069.
Oulu Sinfonia’s past Chief Conductors include Arvo Volmer, Dmitri Slobodeniouk, Anna-Maria Helsing and Johannes Gustavsson, with Principal Guest Conductors such as John Storgårds, Susanna Mälkki, and Jaakko Kuusisto. Since January 2022, the orchestra has been led by British Chief Conductor Rumon Gamba.
Recent recordings include Aili Ikonen & Oulu Sinfonia: Valo, a jazz album, and Overtures From Finland (Chandos), featuring Finnish overtures, both conducted by Gamba. In autumn 2022, a recording of Swedish symphonist Ludvig Norman’s works (Ondine), conducted by Johannes Gustavsson, was released.
The 2021 album Kaiken maailman kehtolauluja features works by Ismo Alanko, conducted by Jaakko Kuusisto. Additionally, the children’s symphonic album Sininen Pallo brought together children’s musician Tuomo Rannankari and the Teuvo Pakkala music classes, with Jaakko Jauhiainen conducting.
Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Oulu Sinfonia is preparing to collaborate with other organisations to deliver several innovative projects throughout the year.
Photo Veera Uutinen