Lasse Heikkilä: Metsä – A Nature Film Concert

Information

Tickets 32 € / Seniors 29 € / Students 15 €

Doors open at 7:00 PM. Showtime at 7:30 PM. Duration approx. 50 minutes.

METSÄ is a film concert where seven musicians and a nature film tell the same story. It is inspired by the vast, often untouched forests of the North, shaped by the dramatic changes of the seasons. The music of METSÄ breathes the spirit of national romanticism, blending the softness of a string quartet with the sharper tones of traditional Finnish folk instruments.

METSÄ takes the audience deep into the wilderness, beyond roads and trails. Together, image and music awaken a sense of wonder at the miracle of life. The cycle of the northern seasons mirrors the journey of human life: from the awakening breath of spring that brings the lifeless to life, through innocent childhood and vital youth, towards the autumn that gently demands us to let go of what we have created.

Composer Lasse Heikkilä is best known for his works The Finnish Mass and the musical Simon of Cyrene. His songs have been translated into over 100 languages.

Videographer Veikko Ruohotie is renowned for his work on nature documentaries and multiscreen visual presentations filmed around the world. Heikkilä and Ruohotie have collaborated in China and Japan since 1988.

The creation of METSÄ, from concept to premiere, took three years. Veikko Ruohotie drove thousands of kilometers with his cameras to capture the Northern Lights and other natural phenomena across seasons. The music and visuals were developed interactively, with the artists drawing inspiration from each other’s work. Earlier versions of the piece have been performed across Finland and during a Japan tour in 2019. The new 2025 version will tour internationally after its domestic premiere.

Performers:
Sonja Kola — accordion, vocals, percussion
Kasper Haikonen — wind instruments
Lasse Heikkilä — guitar, percussion
String Quartet

Program subject to change.

Production: Tampere Hall