Finland will be the center of attention at the 22nd Usedomer Musikfestival in Germany/Poland, taking place from 19 September to 10 October 2015. The festival has a history of connecting nations, as it takes place literally on an island between Germany and Poland, and it has traditionally selected one of the countries around the Baltic Sea as a focus country.

Finnish music will be performed at the festival by both Finnish, Polish and German ensembles and soloists. Among them are ensembles of Berliner Philharmoniker, Finnish pianist Henri Sigfridsson, and tango orchestra Guardia Nueva.

Finnish music from old to new will be explored by vocal ensemble Lumen Valo, led by Kari Turunen. New works are present also in the concert of Boulanger Trio, who will perform works by Jean Sibelius, Toivo Kuula and Kaija Saariaho. A world premiere of Severi Pyysalo’s Green Concerto for piano and orchestra will be given by Baltic Sea Youth Philharmonic, conductor Kristjan Järvi, and pianist Pauli Kari.

The musical programme goes beyond classical music, for example with performances by folk singer Karoliina Kantelinen and jouhikko player Ilkka Heinonen and pelimanni ensemble Frigg.

The festival is organised in co-operation with Aus Finnland, Music Finland’s initiative which aims to bring Finnish music to Germany, Switzerland and Austria.