The Nordic Youth Orchestra made its debut in Riyadh on December 1 at Al-Faris International School with a captivating instrumental-visual experience “Metsa,” according to Arab News.
In cooperation with the Saudi Music Hub and the Music Commission, the performance featured a live work by Finnish composer Lasse Heikkila inspired by the seasons
“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.
Cultural Exchange
The initiative will strengthen cultural exchange and music cooperation particularly as the orchestra members are the ones who have self-funded this trip to Saudi Arabia.
Laul clarified that most musicians have never visited the Kingdom. So, they had an 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.
By blending Nordic-inspired soundscapes with a film by a Finnish director, the performance celebrated 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 featured Saudi cellist Mohammed Al-Guthmi, accompanied by the Nordic Orchestra. Other solos included 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 further enhance cultural exchange, the performance also showcased traditional Nordic instruments, such as the Estonian kannel and the accordion.
The Nordic Youth Orchestra is a group of young musicians from across Northern Europe seeking to bring fresh energy, cultural depth and modern storytelling to classical performance.
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