Mika Rännäli

The annual Oulu Music Festival offers a broad variety of classical music with international flair. Mirja Krause interviews the festival Artistic Director Mika Rännäli, a critically acclaimed virtuoso who plays the piano, trumpet, and violin. At only thirty-five Mika has studied in the States and in Finland, and has already been awarded numerous honors and prizes, and played in many orchestras, and become known as a talented composer who released several albums during the years. 

Since Mika Rännäli is always on the run, I was lucky to catch him on the phone while he was walking in Helsinki during his lunchbreak. Organising the Oulun Musiikkijuhlat for the fifth time now, Mika started playing the violin when he was six. He also started playing the trumpet but says nowadays he only plays the piano. When asked which performances he would recommend this year, he said that “everything has quality, but I myself am a big fan of The Real Group. I think they have never been in Oulu before.” A famous Swedish acapella quintett, The Real Group have been awarded many prizes and given several concerts worldwide. 
 

It’s difficult to recommend any particular group, though, he continues, since the program offers a broad variety of performances. Viva Americas will take you on a Cuban, Brasilian and American jazzy, classical music trip with dance. Carmina Burana, a picturesque medieval cantata, reflects the unpredictableness of fortune, the transient nature of life, the joy of the return of spring. 

Another highlight, the childrens’ concert on Saturday March 17, tells the adventures of a Finnish teddy bear, Uppo Nalle. Finnish author Elina Karjalainen published her first book about an animated teddy bear in 1977; the name and character was created underwater during a river cruise. When I asked Mika Rännäli why they have an event especially for kids, he answered that it was a tradition. “We always had that. And also I think it is important to offer children the possibility to get acquainted with different kinds and styles of music. They are our future audience.”   

Is he still nervous when he has to perform in front of an audience? “Always”, comes his quick answer “-every time! A little bit of nervousness is actually a good thing.” Naturally, Rännäli will take part in some of the acts himself. You can see him live on stage on Saturday at the opening concert and on Monday presenting popular chamber works with five other musicians.

Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article.
Name:
Title:
Comment:
	MathGuard security question: 3 + 8 =