CLASSICAL TRANCELATIONS
IN CONCERt
Classical Trancelations in Concert debuted in August 2016 with two record-breaking, sold-out performances at the Helsinki Music Centre. The concerts moved thousands, received rave reviews, and gained worldwide attention. They were nominated for the 2017 Innovation Award at Classical:NEXT and named one of Finland’s top 10 most moving events by the national broadcaster.
Two years later, on September 29, 2018, Classical Trancelations returned with one of the biggest indoor electronic music events in Finnish history. Over 8,500 people gathered for an unforgettable two-hour journey through reimagined electronic dance classics. The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Lowland performed with the Ahjo Ensemble, conducted by breakthrough conductor Eero Lehtimäki. Soloists included Saara Aalto, Reino Nordin, Kasmir, Paleface, and Marianna, joined by saxophonists Jukka Perko and Tapani Rinne, and actor Sami Uotila. The immersive visual production elevated the experience even further.
On New Year’s Eve 2020, we turned a new page with a televised concert produced in response to the global pandemic. Broadcast on Yle TV1 and Yle Areena, the show brought the Classical Trancelations experience into people’s homes and was viewed by over one million people across Finland.
The Helsinki New Year Concert featured interpretations of iconic dance music classics and fresh versions of tracks by Bomfunk MC’s, The Chemical Brothers, and Depeche Mode. The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Lowland were joined once again by the Ahjo Ensemble, with Eero Lehtimäki conducting. The all-star line-up of soloists included Chisu, Pete Parkkonen, Redrama, MARiANNA, Robin Packalen, Olavi Uusivirta, Paleface, Nelli Matula, Jesse Markin, and Darude. The final flourish was a spectacular visual production by Eero Helle and Bright Finland.
THE ALBUM
WATCH THE SHORT FILM DOCUMENTARY
”CREATING A MASTERPIECE”
DIRECTED BY TERO VUORINEN
ENJOY THE FULL 2018 CONCERT VIA YLE AREENA
CLICK HERE
ABOUT
Classical Trancelations in Concert combines the visual grandeur and production of raves with the world of classical music. Covering some of the biggest hits of the electronic music genre from the past 20 years, it brings together a vast crowd of past & present nightlife aficionados and classical music lovers.
It all started back in 2006 at Helsinki's beloved Club Unity 10th Anniversary party, where Petri "Lowland" Alanko was booked to play versions of club classics on a piano. Lowland decided to take it a step forward and make orchestral backings to the tracks and performed a touching performance, giving birth to a much bigger dream. The versions started spreading around the web and were quickly picked up by Dutch DJ Armin Van Buuren, resulting in two Classical Trancelations albums released Armada Music in 2008 and 2015.
Ten years after the first solo show, a phone call from the Helsinki Festival changed everything... In August 2016 nearly 150 musicians performed the first Classical Trancelations in Concert in what would become the birth of a new phenomenon.
THE TEAM
Classical Trancelations in Concert is created by music and event production professionals, based in Helsinki, Finland.
PETRI “LOWLAND” ALANKO
Artist, composer and producer behind Lowland. He has released two Classical Trancelations albums on Armin Van Buuren's Armada and a solo Album on Tiësto’s Blackhole Recordings. Petri is also Finland’s most successful game-music producer and a BAFTA-nominee for his work on the soundtrack of Alan Wake. His other projects include works for the likes of Supercell, Sulake, Nokia and Nightwish.
TAPIO “DJ ORKIDEA” HAKANEN
The curator and artistic director of the concept, DJ Orkidea is one of the most respected and successful DJ’s and producers to come out of Finland. A career of over 30 years has included shows all over the globe and album releases on Universal Records, as well as the world leading indie dance labels. Tapio was head of sound design for Nokia and is currently the musical director of YleX, the Finnish national radio channel.
PESSI LEVANTO
Pessi Levanto is the orchestrator for the Classical Trancelations concerts. He is an award-winning pianist, arranger and composer of original music for films, television and the concert world. With a catalogue of fifteen full-length feature films scores and thirty short films and documentaries, he is one of the most prominent film composers and orchestrators in Finland.
ODED & ASAF PELED
The Peled Brothers founded Misc Management in 1999—Finland’s first DJ booking agency and events company focused on electronic music and its culture. Over two decades, Misc has created some of Finland’s most iconic club brands and worked with legendary artists including Faithless, Pete Tong, Eric Prydz, and Armin Van Buuren.
Building on this legacy, Oded now leads marketing and partnerships, while Asaf serves as Executive Producer of Classical Trancelations in Concert.
THE VISUALS
Classical Trancelations in Concert offers its crowd a truly unforgettable audiovisual experience. We pride ourselves with working with great talent, wherever we perform. Our debut concert’s visuals at the Helsinki Music Centre in 2016 were designed and conducted live by Tea Stolt & Severi Glanville, XYZ Dezigns and Pyroman. The Hartwall Arena show in September 2018 is executed by Bright Finland, XYZ Dezigns and Pyroman.
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All images by Fredrik Lindbland & Karo HolMberg
Classical Trancelations © 2017–2025