I keep getting drawn back to Oulu for art, culture and science. Really.
Last fall I traveled to Oulu with my friend James Balog where he was going to be giving a lecture on climate change at Oulu University. And following that lecture, I stayed on to be a part of the U.S. Embassy-sponsored Hip-Hop scratch tour that was being presented at Oulu University by the Berkeley College of Music.
Well, I just returned from my latest trip to Oulu, and once again it was focused on science, art and culture. This trip all started with an invitation to participate with the Oulu Music Festival’s concert entitled, “America, America, America!”
For those who may not be familiar with the Oulu Music Festival, it has just completed its 20th anniversary celebration. Under the guidance of Executive Director Maija Perola, Artistic Director Niko Kumpuvaara, and Festival Chairman Tiina Niiranen, the Festival brings world class performances to the stage in the sonically superb Oulu Music Center. For this special concert of music by American composers Niko worked with principal guest conductor Jaakko Kuusisto to create a wonderful program of music by John Adams, George Gershwin, Samuel Barber, John Williams and Aaron Copland. My guess is that right about now you are wondering exactly what classical music skills I might be bringing to the stage. Other than being a music lover and having studied piano and banjo in my high school years, I frankly have no musical talent, but I figured they just needed someone willing to help lift heavy objects on and off the stage. Actually, I was given the honor of performing the narration to Copland’s “A Lincoln Portrait.”
But before I go on about my small part in the evening’s concert I need to make note of the many, many truly talented musicians who were a part of the concert. First of course are the members of the Oulu Symphony Orchestra. All of the music chosen for the concert was challenging both physically and musically – and each piece was performed with aplomb. Bravo! The real guest artist for the evening was the fantastically talented jazz pianist, Iiro Rantala. Iiro performed with the orchestra on both the John Adams and John Williams pieces, but he really got to show off his talent as the pianist in Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.” As an American who grew up with classical music in his home, I can assure you that I have heard countless renditions of this great piece, but I can honestly tell you that I have never been as smitten as I was with Iiro’s totally fresh and jubilant interpretation. I just could not keep from swaying to the music and tapping my feet!
Of couse, all of the programming, practices and individual performances ultimately turn on the skills of the conductor to find and hold the musical vision. I think of it as being the sole lion tamer in a cage with 60 lions. Jaakko Kuusisto’s musicality and calm was amazing to behold.
Maestro Jaakko Kuusisto
When the time finally came and I marched on stage I promise it was the skills of all these many talented musicians that kept me from being nervous and made this one of the most memorable evenings of my life.
Coming on stage with the Maestro
My most sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone at the Oulu Musical Festival.
Performing "A Lincoln Portrait"
