Five classic highlights that you can return to for free – and five tips for summer

1. Top performances of the classics, even for beginners

The radio chief conductor of the symphony orchestra Nicholas Collon just got an extension until 2030, no wonder. I’m pretty tired of what I’ve heard so often by Jean Sibelius violin concerto and Pyotr Tchaikovsky of the sixth symphony (Pateticheskaya) relation, but the concerto soloist was fantastically good and deep Augustin Hadelichand the RSO also played the Russian classic delightfully excellently.

Both masterpieces are also suitable for beginners who want to get to know music written for a symphony orchestra. The concert opened Betsy Jolasin a tense piece of contemporary music A Little Summer Suite as a Finnish premiere. The recording is found From the arena.

2. Neglected children were given a voice

Karl Ove Knausgårdin combining thriller and peculiar philosophy morning star-the book once made an impression. It also gave rise to a good Finnish opera, thanks to the even more romantic composer Sebastian Fagerlundin and librettist Gunilla Hemming.

As the mysterious morning star rises, the border of death becomes blurred, but at the same time, adults go about their daily lives and children are neglected. The most original Thomas de Mallet Burgessin in carousel stage direction, children were brought in as mute witnesses from the beginning. In the HS interview Knausgård accepted the settlement.

At the end, the children’s choir’s “nu är vi här” (now we are here) sounds ominous and comforting at the same time and will stay in your mind for a long time. The presentation is available From the arena.

3. The taste of metal and the shaking of the earth

“You want like the earth shakes”, the conductor Hannu Lintu asked.

“Isn’t that pretty sweet”, the composer Sauli Zinoviev replied with a smile.

We were his Taste of Metal -the premiere of his symphony in training, and the Musiikkitalo really shook when its magnificent organ released sounds designed by the composer, quiet in themselves but very low and penetrating.

You can’t get the same impression at home even with good speakers, but Markus Copperin inspired by violent installations”in the sounding infernal machines” and there is plenty more to admire in the beautiful backwaters. Taste of Metal continued after the premiere to Oslo and Paris. The concert is available on HKO Screen and Arena through.

4. Classical music meets theater

Tapiola Sinfonietta has combined stage art and music in its Indie series and a little otherwise. Clarinetist Lauri Sallinen asked for and received a few years ago Lotta from Wennäkoski “theatrical piece” and performed He-composition most recently in May. In his white mask, he reminded me of the masters of pantomime, and even in his comic courtship Marx-brothers’ films.

You can find a recording of uncompromising contemporary music and a beautiful final silence From Youtube.

5. Restoration of the honor of the conductor

I had to little to scold a conductor with a good career Joana Carneiroa in November 2022, when he conducted the Helsinki City Orchestra with over-enthusiastic swagger.

In front of the RSO, he was still energetic, but now also worthy of praise in his clarity. I admired how fully he got Lili Boulangerin Composed at the age of 20 Faust ja Helene -a masterpiece to ring. What Boulanger could have achieved if life had been allowed to continue beyond the age of 24! The whole concert can be found From the arena.

Five tips for the festival summer

1. Bigotry is relevant again

Putin’s Russia’s actions in the territories occupied by Ukraine have been revealed creepy detailswhich even remind me of the history of Isoviha. There have been more peaceful times as well, but we are hoping for them Uljas Pulkkinen Joshua 1713–1721 -the opera continues At the Ilmajoki music festival already for the second summer from June 3.

2. Ralf Gothóni and Okko Kamu 80 years

How great that a pianist-composer-conductor Ralf Gothóni and conductor Okko Kamu delight with their performances even at the age of 80!

One of Kamu’s 80th anniversary concerts is with Jyväskylä Sinfonia at Taidekeskus Salmela at the opening ceremony June 6 and one of Gothóni’s celebratory concerts will play At the Naantali music festival June 10th.

3. Classical music draws from Africa

When Savonlinna and Kuhmo is known, let’s get up to speed Riihimäki summer concerts Africa theme since June 3rd. It covers the continent’s different musical styles and their influence on Western music.

4. Summer concert in Porvoo and a surprising world star

To Porvoo After Midsummer, music lovers in the region will be pampered by the Avanti chamber orchestra Summer call (as a guest composer Eric Wubbels) and in August Pelling’s music dayswhich features quite a world star, i.e. the artistic director Monica Groopin and her husband’s family friend, a star pianist András Schiff! He will play a piano recital with a surprise program in Porvoo Cathedral on August 9.

5. Philharmonia and Rouvali also in Helsinki

Mikkelin music festival first became a guest for decades Valery Gergievin and the orchestra of the St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theater and now, from 2022, the equally legendary London orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra and its chief conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvalin. This time they can also be heard in Helsinki In the music house.