Finnish celebrating

The Minnesota Orchestra has a busy week in store, thanks to the big FinnFest centennial celebration. On Tuesday, music director Osmo Vänskä leads an outdoor concert of popular classics at the Commons park near U.S. Bank stadium, the first time the orchestra has played there (6 p.m., free). The weekend brings a special concert marking 100 years of Finland's independence. The program, naturally, is entirely Finnish, including Kalevi Aho's "Minea" and Jaakko Kuusisto's Violin Concerto. Sibelius' Second Symphony — a Vänskä specialty — provides the rousing finale. (8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; Orchestra Hall, Mpls.; $12-$79, 612-371-5656 or ­minnesotaorchestra.org)

'Finlandia Forever'

VocalEssence pitches in to honor 100 years of Finnish independence with "Finlandia Forever," a concert by its Ensemble Singers. The concert features music by Sibelius, Rautavaara, Mäntyjärvi and Saariaho — and look out for a guest appearance by Osmo Vänskä, wielding a clarinet rather than his usual conductor's baton. (4 & 7 p.m. Sun., American Swedish Institute, Mpls.; $40, 612-371-5656 or vocalessence.org)

Vocal supergroups

It's the ultimate fan fantasy: performing on the same stage with a group you've previously followed from a discreet distance. The Twin Cities male vocal octet Cantus has regularly covered songs by the all-female quintet Sweet Honey in the Rock. Now the two groups are collaborating for a one-off evening of elite a cappella harmonies. Last year's concert with San Francisco choir Chanticleer was a highlight of the Cantus season. This latest piece of cross-pollination should be equally synergistic — with even more swing. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Orchestra Hall, Mpls.; $30-$100, 612-371-5656 or minnesotaorchestra.org)

SPCO premiere

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra premieres "Il Sogno di Stradella," a new work for piano and orchestra, amid a stimulating program that also features Beethoven's Fourth Piano Concerto and Schoenberg's Chamber Symphony No. 2. The dynamic Jonathan Biss returns as the solo pianist, with Matthias Pintscher conducting. (8 p.m. Thu., St. Olaf College, Northfield, free; 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul; $12-$50, 651-291-1144 or thespco.org)

Keeping Sousa flame

John Philip Sousa was the Johann Strauss of America, with his infectious marches perfectly symbolizing the go-getting American spirit. Members of the First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band are keepers of the Sousa flame. Catch them in this special program celebrating the 21st anniversary of the band's annual September concert. (8 p.m. Sat., Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center, Bloomington; $10-$15, 952-948-6500 or masonicheritagecenter.org)

TERRY BLAIN