Pori Sinfonietta takes listeners to the world of the Moomins in its concert “So what happened then?”

What do Hattifattener or the sound of a vacuum cleaner sound like when played by a symphony orchestra?

The Pori Sinfonietta’s concert “Kuinkas sitten kävikään?” (How did it go?) brings the world of the Moomins to the stage of the Promenade Hall on Saturday, November 22, at 3 p.m. in a concert for the whole family. The Rakastajat Theater is a partner in the performance.

The concert will feature Minna Leinonen’s captivating music, in which the instruments express and color the story. Pictures from the book will be projected onto a screen.

“I grew up watching the Nalle Luppakorva and Myyrä animations, which feature music written by composers. The trials and tribulations of the main characters were conveyed to me in the most imaginative ways through musical means. Inspired by these musical memories, I approached the task of composing music for Tove Jansson’s story,” says composer Minna Leinonen.

Occasionally, the musicians also play objects that are not usually considered instruments.

“For example, there is the first major vacuum cleaner scene in orchestral literature. All the musicians have their own themes related to the illustrations in the book. The wind players, for example, get to immerse themselves in the world of the Hattivattis,” says conductor Kimmo Tullila. He conducted the premiere of the work with the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra last spring.

The director of the performance, Meri-Maija Näykki, is delighted that Kuinkas sitten kävikään? will also be heard and seen in Pori.

“I’m really excited to be able to go on an adventure in the Promenadisali. In the play, the narrator climbs over the audience, and even the children get to join in the world of the book. There’s a gentle anarchy to it,” says Näykki.

The narrator in the Pori performance is Henri Välikangas, an actor from the Rakastajat theater. Välikangas has a background in music, having played the clarinet in his youth.

“‘So, what happened then? is one of the defining works of my childhood, and it is full of surprises. It’s great to be able to do a performance like this with the Pori Sinfonietta,” he says.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Moomins. The first Moomin story, Moomins and the Great Flood, was published in 1945.

Tickets from Lippu.fi: €20 / €17 with a Pori Sinfonietta season ticket / €60 family ticket for 4 people

The recommended age for the performance is 5+.