Oulu Sinfonia’s Seasons 2.0 concert presents two pieces depicting the cycle of the year. In concerts on Wednesday, February 14th, and Thursday, February 15th, at 7:00 PM, the first half features Max Richter’s adaptation of Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, paying homage to the original compositions while incorporating subtle hints of 21st-century styles such as minimalism and ambient, without losing the beauty of the original music. In the second half, bassist-composer Lauri Porra introduces his latest work, Seasons in Moominvalley, inspired by Tove Jansson’s world.
Lauri Porra is a versatile musician. Not only is he the bassist for the power metal band Stratovarius, but he is also a composer and artistic content designer, whose works have been heard in symphony orchestras’ repertoires worldwide. Most recently, his music could be enjoyed in the January premiere of Tiina Lymi’s film Stormskerry Maja.
Porra is also a musical advisor for Moomin Characters Ltd. The idea for the Seasons originated while designing the soundscape for the Moomins. “Several different animation versions of Jansson’s Moomins have been made, but her wonderful original drawings have never been used in them,” Porra explains. Graphic artist Carlos da Cruz, part of the team, has created illustrations for several publishers in Finland and France. The goal was to create a serene space through the synergy of illustrations and music. The animation of the images progresses in small excerpts depicting the seasonal cycle of Moominvalley.
Seasons in Moominvalley begins with a story from Jansson’s book Invisible Child, which serves as a prologue to the Seasons. The story is narrated by Alma Pöysti, who delighted audiences in the film Tove, portraying Tove Jansson.
“I have thought a lot about how adults love Moominvalley and Tove Jansson’s philosophy and how we would immerse ourselves in that world,” Porra reflects. In his work, he aims to leave space and time for viewing the images.
Leading the concert and performing as the violin soloist is Antti Tikkanen, while Lauri Porra will be heard as the electric bass soloist for his own composition.