Know Your Orchestra: There Are Many Types of Orchestras

Know Your Orchestra – public series continues its 15‑year celebration in the 2026 autumn season with the theme 'Land of Thousands of Orchestras'. We dive into the history and present of symphony orchestras and symphonic music, from early amateur ensembles to city orchestras and today's diverse orchestral offerings. The history of symphony orchestras and music in Finland dates back to the Swedish rule. Orchestral activity began in Turku in the 1770s and spread through Helsinki and Kuopio across the country. After World II, the municipalisation of orchestras established a network of city orchestras that still enriches cultural life even in small municipalities. Alongside them operate numerous freelance ensembles. The Finnish Symphony Orchestras Association includes over 30 professional orchestras with more than 1 000 full‑time positions. There are also many amateur‑run orchestras in Finland, more than one might initially think! It is no exaggeration to estimate that the number of ensembles that have performed symphonic music has risen into the hundreds over the centuries – perhaps even thousands if all types of orchestral formations are counted. Know Your Orchestra asks what kinds of orchestras exist, what work they do, and what it is like to work in them. From where the enthusiasm for founding orchestras originally sprang, to how the conditions for orchestral activity have changed over time. What does the future of orchestras and orchestral work look like today? Welcome to Know Your Orchestra events to hear more – and join the discussion! Pre‑lecture background information on topics and guests can be found on the lecture series website tunneorkesterisi.com Autumn 2026: Land of Thousands of Orchestras! Our Early Orchestras Thursday 17 Sept 16:30–18:00 Paavo Hall Guests: saxophonist and nonfiction writer Olli‑Pekka Tuomisalo and conductor/music researcher Sasha Mäkilä New Winds of Leadership Thursday 15 Oct 16:30–18:00 Paavo Hall Guest: cellist and conductor Tomas Djupsjöbacka among others City Orchestras and Finnish Musical Life Thursday 12 Nov 16:30–18:00 Paavo Hall Guests: Helsinki City Orchestra intendant Jari Eskola and Finnish Symphony Orchestras Association executive director emerita Aila Sauramo There Are Many Types of Orchestras Thursday 10 Dec 16:30–18:00 Paavo Hall Guest: Finnish National Opera chief conductor Dima Slobodeniouk among others The Music House and the Academy of Fine Arts jointly host Know Your Orchestra, opening doors to orchestral institution backgrounds, offering new perspectives and illuminating the secrets of joint rehearsals. The series invites conductors, composers, players, singers, directors, choreographers, educators and other experts. Lectures are hosted by musician, pedagogue and journalist Ville Komppa.