Marzi Nyman lives for music and through music
You might recognise the musician Marzi Nyman from many places. He has played in bands, appeared on TV shows, and performed at festivals and chamber music events. Nyman says that one thing that has particularly impacted his musical career is the Espoo City Orchestra, Tapiola Sinfonietta, whose artistic partner he has been since 2013.
Tapiolan Sinfonietta is Marzi's orchestral school
Sinfonietta always has two to three artistic partners selected by the orchestra’s players. Marzi ended up in this position through fellow musicians.
‘We first met at an orchestra camp, where a percussionist I know asked me to play in the orchestra. I was accepted into the group very quickly, and at some point they invited me to be a Sinfonietta partner,’ Nyman recalls.
Before joining Tapiola Sinfonietta, Marzi had almost no experience playing in an orchestra. He admits that he has learned a lot from the cooperation which has now lasted for more than ten years.
‘Sinfonietta has been like a school in orchestra music for me. It's my favourite orchestra where I've been able to do really cool things. It is one of the most valuable collaborations I’ve ever done,’ he praises the orchestra.
The cooperation has also helped Nyman grow his repertoire alongside performing. These days, he is increasingly focusing on writing music for theatre, making orchestra arrangements, and composing commissioned work.
‘This is the direction I have always leaned towards. It has been a couple of years since my violin concert was played by Tapiola Sinfonietta and Antti Tikkanen, which just fuelled the flame,’ he adds.
Marzi’s Espoo is a cultural city
In addition to music, Marzi is a friend of literature, museums and theatre - and in Espoo, there are all sorts of cultural delights on offer. He believes that the city’s strong cultural life is based on communality.
‘For me, Espoo’s culture is unbelievably rich. I have always felt that Espoo is a city with a very positive attitude towards culture, ever since I ended up in Tapiolan lukio upper secondary school from Lohja. It feels like a natural part of people’s everyday lives here,’ Nyman says.
‘And I have always felt this strong communality around the culture. Many locals have some kind of a background in music or other areas of culture. It is an important part of what it means to be from Espoo,’ he summarises.
The sense of community is also reflected in the fact that people in the cultural sector get along particularly well in Espoo.
‘Whenever you meet a visual artist, theatre actor or any representative of the cultural sector, you always find something to talk about. Usually we chat about inspiration and the pain of creating,’ Nyman laughs.
Balancing several plates
And where can you see or hear Marzi Nyman next?
‘For example, in Espoo Big Band, where I am the conductor. This autumn, we will be performing new big band music by Mikko Innanen. We also have our own annual home festival, April Jazz,’ Nyman says.
‘In addition, I still tour with the band Maria Ylipää & Ystävät and as a duo with Anu Komsi. In December, I will be part of Lenni-Kalle Taipale and Osmo Ikonen’s series of Christmas concerts. It will be pretty packed with back-to-back concerts, which I'm looking forward to. I have made arrangements for the Apulanta and Sinfonia Lahti concert, and theatre Jurkka will soon present a play called “Ihan pienet luut” for which I have made music,’ Nyman says.
‘On TV, I was in the show Elämäni biisi, but I left it recently. I was a guest soloist and substituting for their new fantastic guitarist, Timo Kämäräinen. It was wonderful to return to that warm family and community,’ he says.
Phew. As we said, music keeps this man busy. Also in the future.
Culture tips
Theatre is one of Marzi Nyman's great passions, if for nothing else then through his spouse who is an actor. The Minna C musical by Espoo Theatre(external link, opens in a new window), which was already mentioned by Jussi Sorjanen in his culture tips, is also of interest to Nyman:
‘The team behind it is so insane that the play must be incredible. And it is always great to have a new Finnish musical. Ensemble instruments and everything - it sounds really good!’
When it comes to his actual recommendations, Nyman highlights a wide range of theatre and music.
Unknown soldier (from 30 October 2024, Espoo Cultural Centre, Louhisali)
‘I definitely want to see this. Juho Manner is super interesting, one of the most interesting directors in Finland. This is a must-see.’
Tapiola Sinfonietta: Downie Dear & Gringolts (24 October 2024, Espoo Cultural Centre, Tapiola-Sali)
“Tapiola Sinfonietta has some great shows, of course. If I have to pick one, I would say this performance by Ilja Gringolts and Finnegan Downie Dear. Vaughan Williams is one of my favourite composers and Lark Ascending is a great song.’
Aki Rissanen Hyperreal (9 October 2024, Sello Hall)
‘Sello Hall has a lot of great acts, including Aki Rissanen's band, which is fantastic. Aki is a genius!’
Concerts at the Cultural Centre
"The cultural centre has an absurd number of concerts. There's Saimaa (5 October 2024) - a killer band. And then Ben Granfelt Band (9 October 2024), he is an old colleague and a total guitar hero, I have to recommend him.’ I think Arppa (19 October 2024) was also performing there. And then us, too: Maria Ylipää & Ystävät (23 October 2024), if I’m allowed to recommend my own thing! Not because of me but because Maria, Niko and Ville are just so fantastic. Come and see them!’