Pauli Hanhiniemi: Sydän vasta puolillaan
Vaasan kaupunginorkesteri
cond. Antti Rissanen
sol. Pauli Hanhiniemi
Arttu Volanto, guitar and background vocals
Samuli Volanto, bass and background vocals
Sebastian Krühn, drums
Pauli Hanhiniemi has served as an interpreter of Finnish identity—and above all Ostrobothnian identity—first as the frontman of the band Kolmas nainen and later through his diverse solo career. His darkly toned, perceptive lyrics, at times bordering on black humor, combined with his always recognizable vocal sound, have earned him appreciation and popularity across genre boundaries. Hanhiniemi’s career, now continuing into its fifth decade, speaks not only to his solid professionalism and ability to reinvent himself, but also to the fact that there is always a hint of hope beneath his attitude. Once again, genres are playfully mixed as Hanhiniemi performs with his band as soloist with the Vaasa City Orchestra. The concert features songs from across his entire artistic career, with Antti Rissanen conducting the orchestra. The colorful orchestral arrangements bring many new layers to the familiar soundscape, and naturally, Hanhiniemi’s interpretations and voice have gained even more wisdom with the passing years.
Program
Sydän vasta puolillaan – Alkusoitto
Elämän tarkoitus
comp. Sakari Pesola, text. Pauli Hanhiniemi
arr. Antti Rissanen
Siipeen jos sain
comp, text. Pauli Hanhiniemi
arr. Anssi Växby
Suru teki lähtöään
comp, text. Jonas Olsson, Aku Rannila san. Hanhiniemi
arr. Anssi Växby
Sydämeni osuman sai
comp. Greenaway-Cook, text. Pauli Hanhiniemi
arr. Anssi Växby
Särkyvää
comp. Olli Lindholm, text. Pauli Hanhiniemi
arr. Anssi Växby
Ootteko nähneet sydäntäni
comp. Anne-Mari Kivimäki- Pauli Hanhiniemi
arr. Anssi Växby
Moottorisaha ja 100 A
comp, text. Pauli Hanhiniemi
arr. Antti Rissanen
Muutkin mokaa
comp. Jonas Olsson, Aku Rannila, text. Pauli Hanhiniemi
arr. Rolf Gustavson
— Intermission —
Valehtelisin jos väittäisin
comp. text, Pauli Hanhiniemi
arr. Anssi Växby
Ilo etsii sua
comp. Jonas Olsson, Aku Rannila, text. Hanhiniemi
arr. Anssi Växby
Lautalla
comp. text. Pauli Hanhiniemi
arr. Antti Rissanen
Joki
comp, text, Pauli Hanhiniemi
arr. Sampo Kasurinen
Tahdotko mut tosiaan
comp. Markku Petander, text. Pauli Hanhiniemi
arr. Jarkko Riihimäki
Äiti pojastaan pappia toivoi
comp. Pesola-Timo Löyvä, text. Hanhiniemi
arr. Sampo Kasurinen,
Tästä asti aikaa
comp. Sakari Pesola, Timo Kivikangas, text. Pauli Hanhiniemi
arr. Rolf Gustavson
Artists
Antti Rissanen, conductor
Antti Rissanen (b. 1975) is a multi-professional musician who divides his time between playing the trombone, composing, arranging, teaching, and conducting. He began his music studies at the age of six at the Kotka Region Music Institute, where he learned to play the piano using the Japanese Suzuki method. He completed his professional studies at the Sibelius Academy, the Hanns Eisler School of Music in Berlin, and The New School University in New York. Rissanen earned his Doctor of Music degree from the Sibelius Academy in the spring of 2015.
Inspired by his grandfather, who was an opera singer, and by the father of his childhood friend, who was a conductor, Rissanen began his conducting career at the age of 15. Although most of his conducting engagements have focused on big band and rhythm music, over the past fifteen years he has also regularly conducted various symphony orchestras. He is currently the principal conductor of five big bands and makes numerous guest appearances in Finland and abroad each year.
Since 2010, Rissanen has served as chief conductor of the George Garania Foundation Big Band in Moscow, and he has been the conductor of the Tampere Pops Orchestra since autumn 2014. He has worked as a guest project conductor for UMO since 1999 and served as the orchestra’s artistic partner from 2012 to 2013.
Rissanen has performed as a musician in numerous pop and jazz bands and big bands both in Finland and internationally, and has toured in more than 25 countries. Among the artists and ensembles he has worked with are Juha Tapio, Paula Koivuniemi, Popeda, the Dancing with the Stars Orchestra, the Suomilove Orchestra, UMO, and the WDR Big Band in Cologne. In total, he has created approximately 600 arrangements for various soloists, symphony orchestras, and big bands. He began composing at an early age, even before starting school, and has now performed his own music professionally for around 30 years.
Rissanen’s main position is currently with Metropolia University of Applied Sciences’ Degree Programme in Music, where he serves as principal lecturer in pop/jazz wind instruments, leads ensembles, and teaches improvisation and orchestral conducting. From 2007 to 2011, he was a lecturer at the Sibelius Academy. He has also taught at numerous summer courses both in Finland and abroad and has served on various international competition juries.
Pauli Hanhiniemi, song
Pauli can be introduced in many ways, but the singer-songwriter who has written hundreds of songs has received numerous awards throughout his career. Among others, he was awarded the Special Emma Award in 2020 and the Juha Vainio Lyricist Award in 2007. Now, having turned 60, Pauli is in the best performing and creative shape of his life.
Pauli is, of course, known for the legendary hits of the band Kolmas Nainen, but also for much more. He has written numerous lyrics for other artists as well. Many hits by, for example, Yö, Popeda, Pate Mustajärvi, and many other artists have come from Pauli’s pen.
Pauli’s lyrics are considered one of the cornerstones of Finnish rock lyricism. Bands such as Hehkumo and Perunateatteri are among his many projects. He has even acted in both films and TV series. In addition, he has written three books. Songs include “Tästä asti aikaa,” “Elämän tarkoitus,” “Äiti pojastaan pappia toivoi,” “Hyvää ja kaunista,” “Valehtelisin jos väittäisin,” “Muutkin mokaa,” “Siipeen jos sain,” Yö’s “Särkyvää,” Popeda’s “Tahdotko mut tosiaan,” and, for example, Siiri Nordin’s “Sydämeni osuman sai,” among others.
From these songs, we will experience an engaging set of Finnish music, performed by a large orchestra and sung by a charismatic soloist, showcasing the orchestra’s rich and expansive palette of sound.