Everything is possible at Sväng and KSO concert on 1st of October

Published 24.09.2026

A musical journey from tango to Balkan rhythms, Sibelius and Chopin

The Svängfonia season concert by the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra on Thursday, 1st of October at 6 pm takes listeners on an unforgettable journey together with the harmonica quartet Sväng. Organized at the Concert Hall of the Kuopio Music Centre, the performance combines the rich sonic world of four harmonicas with the symphonic sound of the orchestra. The concert’s central theme is tango, but the programme also features Balkan rhythms, music by Jean Sibelius, Frédéric Chopin, and more. The orchestra will be conducted by Janne Nisonen.

On Thursday, 1st of October, the KSO concert transcends musical boundaries. The orchestral sound is joined by the unique timbre of four harmonicas, combining humour, virtuosity, and musical boldness. Sväng has demonstrated that the possibilities of this outwardly modest instrument are virtually limitless. In their music, artistic ambition and a distinctly Finnish deadpan sense of humour blend seamlessly together.

“Sväng’s wide range of harmonicas, including solo chromatic and diatonic harmonicas as well as bass and chord harmonicas, creates a rich soundscape that audiences around the world have described as orchestral. The Svängfonia concert combines that polished quartet sound with the timbre of a symphony orchestra, resulting in something never heard before,” the members of Sväng explain. “The ensemble’s repertoire consists mainly of original compositions by its members, rooted in Finnish and Balkan folk traditions, but the group also performs classical music, tango, and ventures fearlessly into other genres.”

“Four harmonicas and a symphony orchestra. I remember thinking it was a ridiculous idea when I first heard about the possibility of collaborating with Sväng,” says conductor Janne Nisonen. “I had admired the ensemble from afar and had heard them perform at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival when I was younger. And now I was being asked to steer this symphonic fusion. I managed to push my instinct for self-preservation aside, and I have never regretted that decision for a moment. Working with these four extraordinary musicians and their musical treasure trove has been an ear-opening journey!” he enthuses.

Internationally acclaimed, Sväng is one of the most captivating phenomena in harmonica music: an ensemble of four virtuosos who combine folk, jazz, classical, and world music into a distinctive, energetic, and delightfully unpredictable whole. The members of Sväng are Eero Grundström / diatonic and chromatic harmonicas, Jouko Kyhälä / Harmonetta chord harmonica, diatonic and chromatic harmonicas, Pasi Leino / bass harmonica and Eero Turkka / diatonic and chromatic harmonicas. The orchestral arrangements of Sväng’s compositions have been created by some of the leading names in the field: Pessi Levanto, Marzi Nyman, Esko Grundström, Aili Järvelä and Roope Mäenpää.

The duration of the concert is approximately 1 hour 50 minutes, including an interval.

Before the concert, at 5.30 pm at the Hall of Light, there will be a Pre-Talk open to all, with the artists of the evening.

Tickets: 34,60 € / 28,10 € senior citizens and groups min. 20 persons / 10,60 € children under the age of 16 and students.

The Copilot AI service was used in the production of this text.

KUOPIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Producer & Publicity Manager Elina Prepula, tel. 044 718 2364, elina.prepula(at)kuopio.fi
www.kuopionkaupunginorkesteri.fi | Facebook: Kuopionkaupunginorkesteri | Instagram: kuopionkaupunginorkesteri