17 November

Festive march

19:00

Helsinki Music Centre

Tickets from 32/26/10 €

The concert cherishes the long history of Finnish military music, with roots stretching back 500 years to a time when we were still part of the Kingdom of Sweden. Ceremonial calls and ceremonies remain a living part of military traditions and routines.

In this concert, our country’s literary heritage is also seamlessly woven into the program. The poems of Eino Leino, Tuula Valkama, and Reino Helismaa, with their powerful interpretations, run deep within the Finnish identity. The festive march is a composition by Toivo Kuula, tying the concert’s theme together. Kuula’s majestic compositions and musical language remind us of what our land and culture have been defended and built for. In addition, the concert features magnificent international orchestral pieces.

The concert soloist is baritone Olli-Tapio Tikkanen. His melancholic and beautiful interpretations create a wonderful counterpoint to the military rhythm of traditional marches. The Guard Band’s jubilee concert offers a dignified and entertaining evening of high-quality music.

The concert will be conducted by the Chief Conductor of the Finnish Defence Forces, Music Commander Timo Kotilainen, and the Chief Conductor of the Guard Band, Music Major Jaakko Nurila.

Chief Conductor