The Nordic Youth Orchestra will make its debut in Riyadh on December 1 at Al-Faris International School with a stunning instrumental-visual experience “Metsa,” according to Arab News.
The performance will feature a live work by Finnish composer Lasse Heikkila inspired by the seasons in cooperation with the Saudi Music Hub and the Music Commission.
“We’re really, really excited. We’re also collaborating with some of the Saudi musicians and we’re also playing a piece from a Saudi composer,” Hanna-Marie Laul, head producer of the Nordic Orchestra project, said.
Boosting Cultural Exchange
The initiative will further enhance cultural exchange and inspire more steps toward music cooperation particularly as the orchestra members are the ones who have self-funded this trip to Saudi Arabia.
Laul noted that most musicians have never visited the Kingdom, so, they will have a unique opportunity to build bridges between Saudi Arabia and their nations.
“It’s just something beautiful to make music together with Saudis. The cost doesn’t matter that much. It’s kind of the passion from the music that comes from the heart,” Laul added.
Exceptional Blend
By thoughtfully blending Nordic-inspired soundscapes with a film by a Finnish director, the performance celebrates Estonian and Finnish forests, along with night skies.
“I feel like the music is the best, really, truly the best kind of art in (creating) cultural exchange because we all understand it,” Laul added.
Inspiring Works
One of the solo works will feature Saudi cellist Mohammed Al-Guthmi, alongside the Nordic Orchestra.
Meanwhile, other solos include virtuoso Kaur Nellis, Henri Christofer Aavik, Joonatan Rautio, Sonja Kola, Kalervo Kulmala and Laul.
“That’s why we are coming here, to give you guys something that you don’t have and you guys (give us) something that we don’t have, and that’s what’s beautiful about this whole project,” Laul said.
To boost cultural exchange, the performance will also highlight traditional Nordic instruments, such as the Estonian kannel and the accordion.
With a bold goal to bring fresh energy, cultural depth and modern storytelling to classical performance, the Nordic Youth Orchestra is basically a group of young musicians from across Northern Europe.
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