On Thursday, February 22, Oulu Sinfonia will perform baroque classics at Oulu Cathedral. In the concert Water Music, the audience will be transported to the 18th century and the splendor of the period’s orchestral music under the baton of one of the world’s most esteemed baroque experts, Nicholas McGegan.
Nicholas McGegan’s career spans over five decades, during which he has conducted numerous internationally renowned orchestras. He is widely regarded as one of the finest baroque conductors of his generation, particularly as an expert in 18th-century style. McGegan’s discography includes over 100 releases, two of which have received Gramophone Awards. He has also been nominated for a Grammy twice. In recognition of his contributions to music, McGegan has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
The evening will commence with a suite from the opera Naïs by the French composer and music theorist Jean-Philippe Rameau. This will be followed by a Concerto in F Major by the master of instrumental concertos, Antonio Vivaldi. As the soloist we will hear Mikko Sorri, who has served as concertmaster of Oulu Sinfonia since 2017. Alongside his orchestral duties, Sorri teaches violin at Oulu University of Applied Sciences and believes that baroque music deserves its place in modern orchestral programs. “It would be a shame if baroque music were not performed in contemporary orchestras. Works from different eras can be interpreted in various ways without diminishing the emotional impact of the music. Diverse programs and different genres keep the work interesting,” Sorri remarks.
The climax of the concert will be Georg Friedrich Handel’s Water Music, a compilation of Handel’s orchestral suites. The piece was originally composed to accompany King George I of England’s boat trips on the River Thames over 300 years ago and remains one of the most beloved works in the classical music repertoire.
The concert is presented in collaboration with the Oulu Early Music Association.
Water Music
Thursday February 22 at 7:00 PM
Oulu Cathedral
Nicholas McGegan conductor
Mikko Sorri violin
Oulu Sinfonia
Concert program:
Jean-Philippe Rameau Suite from Naïs
Antonio Vivaldi Concerto in F Major, RV 569
Georg Friedrich Handel Water Music Suite No 1. in F Major, HWV 348