Crusell Music Festival: A celebration of Finnish music and history with Bernhard Crusell

Captivating European audiences in the 18th and 19th centuries, the clarinettist and composer Bernhard Crusell is known for his melodic tones and revolutionary use of the clarinet. His life and work are celebrated every summer in his birth city of Uusikaupunki in southwestern Finland at the Crusell Music Festival.

Founded by a group of woodwind musicians in 1980, Crusell Music Festival began as a summer course for young music students in honour of the work of Crusell. “Course teachers would also perform concerts,” says Olli Leppäniemi, the artistic director for the festival. “Soon we began to invite clarinettists and other woodwind teachers from abroad to perform and hold masterclasses.” After a few years, Osmo Vänskä, the principal clarinet of the Turku Philharmonic in the west of the country, was invited to be the first artistic director of the Crusell Music Festival.

The house where Bernhard Crusell was born in 1775. Photo by Miia Manninen.

The festival attracts the best and most creative woodwind artists from all over Finland as well as the rest of the world. They perform and teach masterclasses in flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon. “This year we’re extremely lucky to host Anna Garzuly-Wahlgren on flute, Yehuda Gilad on clarinet, and Mor Biron on bassoon,” says Leppäniemi. The festival also offers courses for younger students with local music teachers.

A jam session at the Crusell Festival. Joni Pietiläinen.

Crusell Music Festival is a great meeting point for both Finnish and international woodwind artists, students, and music lovers. Besides the performances and classes, the festival offers events such as family concerts and trial sessions where participants can experiment with various woodwind instruments. All of this takes place in Uusikaupunki, a charming small city known for its 19th century wooden houses and maritime atmosphere. “Crusell Festival is a special experience for international visitors, guest artists and students,” says Leppäniemi. “Instead of becoming a large venue, we hope to maintain our cosy and welcoming atmosphere.”

Enjoying the melodic tones and ambience of Uusikaupunki where the Crusell festival takes place each summer. Photo by Joni Pietiläinen.

Web: Crusell.fi
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Instagram: @Crusellmusicfestival