As a joint production of Oulu Music Festival, the Diocese of Oulu, and Oulu Sinfonia, in March, we will hear Johann Sebastian Bach’s (1685–1750) monumental work, the St. Matthew Passion, which is part of the Easter traditions. Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Johann Sebastian’s son, mentions in his father’s obituary that Johann Sebastian Bach composed five passions, but only two of Bach’s compositions have survived to our day. The first is the St. John Passion, followed three years later by the St. Matthew Passion, an unmatched giant in Protestant church music, challenging with its musical weight alone the extensive array of major works of the Catholic Church. The piece is considered Bach’s most important, not only musically but also historically, as performances of the St. Matthew Passion nearly a century after the composer’s death brought him back to the attention of a wide audience.
Led by Raimo Paaso, the Oulu Sinfonia, the Diocese of Oulu’s Oratorio Choir, Teuvo Pakkala’s school’s music classes’ choir, and the best of domestic vocal soloists will perform the St. Matthew Passion on Sunday, March 24, and Wednesday, March 27, at 6 PM in Madetoja Hall, and on Tuesday, March 26, at 6 PM in Luleå Cathedral. The Luleå concert is also supported by the Arctic Pulse project and Luleå Parish.
Oulu Music Festival celebrates its 34th edition this year. The festival will take place from March 12 to March 27. Oulu Symphony will perform in the Tangos Nobles et Sentimentales concert of the Oulu Music Festival on Thursday, March 14. In this concert, bandoneon artist Henrik Sandås and conductor Maria Itkonen, along with Oulu Sinfonia, will bring to life the most beloved compositions and arrangements of Astor Piazzolla.
Oulu Sinfonia’s brass septet will perform in two concerts in March. The repertoire includes music by Jukka Linkola, Leevi Madetoja, and Jean Sibelius, among others. The Brass Time concerts will take place on Wednesday, March 20, at 6 PM at Muhos Church, and on Thursday, March 21, at 4 PM at Oulu Cathedral. Admission is free.
