Explore Nordic roots with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra in 2017

I like the looks of "Where Words End," a May festival that promises Nordic folk songs, Norwegian fiddling and heady new works. Hosted by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, it is certainly ambitious — with 11 concerts spanning three weeks, four programs and five venues. Focused on Nordic music and culture, the festival takes its name from Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, who once said, "For me, music begins where words end." Violinist and fellow Finn Pekka Kuusisto will lead a deep dive into Sibelius' works to start the fest.

Most intriguing is Liquid Music's performance on May 9, which spotlights Bedroom Community, an Icelandic crew and record label, and Swedish songstress Mariam Wallentin, whom curator Kate Nordstrum describes as "spellbinding and majestic and dark." That concert will take over the grounds of the American Swedish Institute — the perfect stage, perhaps, for this mix of the classical and current, traditional and daring.