“Aki Rissanen: Omniwerk” is a concert experience that bridges the worlds of art, science, and music in the spirit of the Renaissance rock star Leonardo da Vinci. This interdisciplinary project explores da Vinci’s hidden musical legacy through newly composed works performed on a reconstructed historical instrument, the groundbreaking Omniwerk.
The Spring tour of the acclaimed pianist Aki Rissanen takes his Omniwerk to Estonia on 19-20 April and to France on 26.-30 April. On 30 April the Finnish pianist celebrates the International Jazz Day in Paris at the Finnish institute and invites the master violinist Dominique Pifarély to join in.
While none of da Vinci’s compositions survive in standard notation, melodic fragments and rhythmic puzzles appear as marginalia in his Codex Atlanticus and even in his Last Supper. These fragments provide the foundation for new compositions that translate da Vinci’s visual and mathematical ideas into sound evoking the Renaissance and Baroque eras while embracing minimalism and abstract modern textures. The intricate and bold music also includes interpretations of Renaissance compositions by Carlo Gesualdo and Josquin des Prez, creating a dialogue between the past and the present. Renaissance techno for the 21st century?
At the heart of the project is the Omniwerk, a unique instrument designed by Finnish builders Jukka Ollikka and Jonte Knif. It combines two historic keyboard instruments: the Geigenwerk (or Viola Organista, originally conceived by Leonardo) and the Lautenwerk, a Baroque-era keyboard lute favoured by J.S. Bach. The Omniwerk features two manuals—one for each “werk”—that can be played simultaneously. A remarkable range of sounds is created by the combination of the two manuals and an ingenious system of bands that allow the instrument to either bow or pluck the strings. As a result, it can evoke the sonority of a harpsichord, a bowed string orchestra, a hurdy-gurdy, or even a harp.
Finnish pianist Aki Rissanen, a versatile musician known for blending classical precision with jazz improvisation, is the composer and performer in this project. With 15 acclaimed albums and awards from solo piano competitions at the Montreux Jazz Festival and La Défense, Rissanen’s unique background informs his approach to the Omniwerk.
(c) Maarit Kytöharju
“Aki Rissanen: Omniwerk” on tour in April 2026
ESTONIA in collaboration with Uus Kontsert
Sun 19/04 Kuressaare, Cultural Centre / island of Saaremaa
Mon 20/04 Käina, Cultural Centre / Island of Hiiumaa
FRANCE
Sun 26/04 Arthel, La Grange de l’oiseau bleu / Omniwerk + piano
Mon 27/04 Saint-Etienne, La Galerie
Tue 28/04 Lyon, Le Périscope / I’m free
Thu 30/04 Paris, Institut finlandais / Jazz au café Maa #4
duo with Dominique Pifarély, violin / Omniwerk + piano
Tour booking: Vapaat äänet