FOLKFONIAA
In cooperation with Seinäjoki City Orchestra.
Vasa and Seinäjoki City Orchestras
cond. Janne Nisonen
sol. Frigg
The folk music group Frigg is one of the most internationally recognized names in Finland’s music scene, regardless of genre. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the group is known from Kaustinen to Borneo, America, and Japan. Among the tightly knit violinists, tradition and modernity meet, while the rhythm section pulses with the vitality of an Ostrobothnian field. Conductor Janne Nisonen, himself a master violinist and a folk music veteran, unites Frigg and the city orchestras into a cohesive whole.
Program
1. Esko Järvelän oodi Ravintola Pelimannille & Chris Stout’s Compliments to the Bon Accord Ale House
comp. Esko Järvelä & Chris Stout
arr. Esko Järvelä, orchestration Mikko Hassinen
2. Friggin polska
comp. & arr. Petri Prauda, orchestration Karl-Johan Ankarblom
3. Kenkkuni & Pikkuni
comp. & arr. Esko Järvelä
4. Nuorten miesten speli
Trad., arr. Antti Järvelä
5. Game of Frigg
comp. Petri Prauda, orchestration Artturi Rönkä
6. Overtyyri & Häkkisen riili
comp. & arr. Tero Hyväluoma
– Intermission –
7. Kiulupolska
comp. Tuomas Logrén
arr. Tuomas Logrén & Antti Järvelä, orchestration Artturi Rönkä
8. False Legenyes
comp. Tero Hyväluoma
arr. Tero Hyväluoma, orchestration Mikko Hassinen
9. Keidas
comp. Petri Prauda
arr. Petri Prauda & Antti Järvelä, orchestration Antti Järvelä
10. Early Bird
comp. & arr. Esko Järvelä
11. Polka V & Vierivä
comp. Ville Kangas & Tuomas Logrén
arr. Frigg, orchestration Karl-Johan Ankarblom
12. Peltoniemen Hintriikin surumarssi
Trad. arr. Antti Järvelä
Artists
Janne Nisonen, conductor
Janne Nisonen is one of Finland’s most versatile and sought-after musicians. His career has evolved from violin student to chamber musician, and from concertmaster to conductor. Today, Nisonen is especially known as a refined interpreter of classical and early Romantic music, as well as a bold advocate for contemporary music.
In March 2023, Nisonen successfully conducted the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra’s Musica Nova concert, in which no fewer than three new works received their world premieres. A certain vitality and earthiness in Nisonen’s performances stem from his roots in Kaustinen, a region known for its long line of folk fiddlers in his family.
Nisonen has embraced new projects regardless of genre boundaries. His collaborations with the groups Frigg and Sväng have brought many new audiences to orchestral music. Creating diverse and surprising concert programs is an important part of his artistic work. Since 2021, he has been responsible for the artistic planning of the Tapiola Sinfonietta together with flutist Hanna Juutilainen and general manager Maati Rehor.
Nisonen has conducted, among others, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, Avanti!, Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, and the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra. During the 2022–2023 season, he made his debut with the Oulu Symphony Orchestra and the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra. From 2016 to 2018, Nisonen served as chief conductor of the Pori Sinfonietta.
Two orchestras hold special significance for Nisonen: the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra and the Tapiola Sinfonietta, where he has served as first concertmaster since 2007. His most important musical mentors have been violinist Endre Wolf, pianist Timo Koskinen, professor of chamber music Mats Zetterqvist, and conductor Hannu Lintu.
FRIGG
The now-legendary string sound, the irresistibly driving shimmer of string instruments, and the pulsating rhythm of the double bass – this hypnotic combination is what Frigg is known for. Frigg ranks among Finland’s most internationally successful contemporary folk music groups and, over more than two decades, has received glowing album reviews and performed around a thousand concerts in over thirty countries.
In 2025, Frigg celebrates its 25th anniversary with the release of its twelfth album and a jubilee tour. With the new record, Frigg continues as a six-member ensemble and returns from the traditional landscapes of the previous album back to the city – to new compositions and richly colored soundscapes, without ever losing sight of its roots.
Frigg has conquered the world with its fusion of Western folk music styles, deeply rooted in Nordic fiddling traditions – a style that the world music media has dubbed nordgrass. The group takes its audience on a journey from authentic Finnish polska through bluegrass and Balkan rhythms to the realms of art music – as if several different ensembles were performing on stage at once.
Members:
Alina Kivivuori – violin
Esko Järvelä – violin
Tero Hyväluoma – violin
Petri Prauda – mandolin and cittern
Topi Korhonen – guitar
Juho Kivivuori – bass
Seinäjoki City Orchestra
Founded in 1936 as an association-based orchestra, the Seinäjoki City Orchestra consists in its permanent lineup of a string quintet and a wind quintet. Consequently, the orchestra’s main focus lies in chamber music. The Seinäjoki City Orchestra also regularly performs symphonic music, with the core ensemble being expanded by other professional musicians.
As an opera orchestra, the Seinäjoki City Orchestra has participated in productions by the Seinäjoki City Theatre and the local opera association, as well as at the Ilmajoki Music Festival. The orchestra is also a well-known guest at the Korsholm Music Festival and the Seinäjoki Tango Festival. Larger sacred works are performed in collaboration with various choirs. Cooperation with the Vaasa City Orchestra is regular, with joint concerts held two to three times a year.
The orchestra’s main concert venue is Seinäjoki Hall, completed in 1992 and designed specifically for concerts (410 seats). In addition to performing in its home city, the orchestra’s chamber ensembles have given concerts throughout Finland and abroad in Russia, Italy, Germany, Spain, Argentina, and Vietnam.