The festival, held every other year, brings together saxophone professionals, students, enthusiasts, and the audience for the third time.
The Pirkanmaa Saxophone Festival (PSF) will be held in Tampere from April 23rd to 28th. In addition to concerts and an orchestra weekend, this time there will also be lectures by top experts at the Metsä Library. During the festival week, performances will take place at Pyynikinlinna, Telakka Cultural Center, and Tampere Hall, featuring professional saxophonists from various fields and bands.
"Concerts and lectures offer high-quality experiences and knowledge in the fields of classical music, jazz, and other rhythmic music. It's fantastic to be involved this year both as a musician, producer, and as an expert," commented saxophonist, music educator, and festival team member Masa Orpana.
During the festival weekend from April 26th to 28th, three saxophone orchestras of different levels will gather, welcoming anyone from hobbyists to professional players to join. The orchestras will be led and trained by professionals from Tampere Conservatory, Pirkanmaa Music Institute, and the Finnish Guard Band.
"The festival is unique in Finland. Its absolute core has always been the three large orchestras created for the festival, which consist entirely of different saxophones. The orchestras bring together experienced veterans, young students, and enthusiastic hobbyists, and during the period, we are all one big saxophone family! The orchestras' repertoire includes a versatile selection of art and rhythmic music, just like in the festival's other concerts," described one of the festival's organizers, musician, and educator Kalle Oittinen.
The festival culminates in an orchestra concert at Tampere Cathedral on Sunday, April 28th, at 6:00 PM.
Public Events of the Festival:
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 6:00 PM: Metsä Main Library, music
Early history of Finnish saxophone playing
Musicologist, musician Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo lectures on the early stages of the saxophone in Finland in the 1920s and 30s and performs live with vintage saxophones. The use of the instrument in both jazz and classical music will be covered. -
Wednesday, April 24th, 6:00 PM: Metsä Main Library, music
Saxophone in Roots Music
In musician Masa Orpana's workshop, participants will explore the role of the saxophone in ensemble playing, playing techniques, and improvisation from the perspective of African-American roots music through music samples. -
Thursday, April 25th, 7:00 PM: Pyynikinlinna
Finnish Saxophonists' Compositions
The popular Jazz Museum Band concerts at Pyynikinlinna continue with the theme "compositions by Finnish saxophonists." -
Thursday, April 25th, 9:00 PM: Telakka Cultural Center
PSF Club
Local saxophonists with their friends perform in a relaxed club evening. -
Saturday, April 27th, 7:00 PM: Tampere Hall, Small Hall
Saxophone in the Spotlight
The gala concert showcases the versatility of the saxophone with top musicians. The saxophone is featured in various genres as a soloist, quartet, and big band soloist. Performers include the Finnish Guard Saxophone Quartet, the duo Harri Lehtinen (marimba) and Kalle Oittinen (saxophone), Hot Heroes, and Tampere Big Band led by Juha Untala with saxophonist Jukka Hänninen. -
Sunday, April 28th, 6:00 PM: Tampere Cathedral
GRANDE FINALE
The saxophone orchestras take over the cathedral, playing music from different eras by masters such as Vivaldi, Mancini, Grieg, Gershwin, Ravel, Holst, and Piazzolla. The orchestras will be led by Anna-Leena Lumme and Kalle Oittinen.
For more information about the festival, visit:
www.facebook.com/pirkanmaansaksofonifestivaali
Image: Eero Saunamäki