News archive

Soprano Helena Juntunen's role debut as Donna Elvira

Soprano Helena Juntunen makes her role debut as Donna Elvira in Opéra de Lyon on 15th March 2011, in Mozart's opera Don Giovanni. Ms Juntunen will also sing the role of Countess in Mozart's opera Le Nozze di Figaro, the Figaro's Wedding.Performaces continues till the end of March 2011.

Kaija Saariaho's Adriana Mater's German premiere

FIMIC News: Theater Osnabrück in Germany has taken Kaija Saariaho’s opera Adriana Mater (2005) to its repertoire. The first performance, a German premiere of the opera, will take place on 12 March. The production is directed by Andrea Schwalbach and a young Finnish up-and-coming mezzosoprano Merja Mäkelä will sing the main role (Adriana). The opera will be performed altogether eight times during March, April and May.

OPERNWELT, Mai 2011: "Vor allem aber ist es Schwalbach gelungen, das Spiel der vier Darstelle minutiös aufeinander abzustimmen. Überragend die junge finnische Mezzosopranistin Merja Mäkelä als beeindruckend differenzierte Adriana, die auh den altersunterschied zwinschen der jungen Frau im ersten und der Mutter im zweiten Akt glaubhaft machte. Stimmlich bewältigte sie die kräftezehrende Partie mühelos, dazu mit einer Klangfarbenvielfalt, ja gestalterischen Tonschönheit, wie man sie in diesem Repertoire mur selten hört."

Verneri Pohjola signs with ACT

FIMIC News: Trumpet player Verneri Pohjola has signed a four album deal with esteemed German ACT. First of the four albums in scheduled for release in the spring of 2012.

ACT has already re-released Pohjola's striking solo debut Aurora (Texicalli), and the release will be followed by a tour of Germany later this month. Read more.

Tango-orkesteri Unto performs in Stockholm

Finnish Tango is alive and vivid. Tango-orkesteri Unto presents new composers and new writers for Finnish Tango with modern sound and urban touch. This dream team of Finnish Tango believes in its stong roots within Finnish music life and understanding for great old masters, like Mr. Unto Mononen. Come and hear: 22 February, 2011 at 7pm, Finlands Institute in Stockholm.

"Litteris et Artibus" medal for soprano Susanne Rydén

Swedish Royal Court: The King has decided on the recipients of H.M. The King's Medal and the Litteris et Artibus Medal....The Litteris et Artibus Medal was instituted in 1853 by Crown Prince Carl (XV). "Litteris et Artibus" is Latin for "Science and Art". The medal is awarded for outstanding artistic contributions, mainly within the fields of music, theatrical performance and literature. The medals was awarded on Wednesday 2 February at the Royal Palace of Stockholm. Read more.

* Our warmest congratulations for soprano Susanne Rydén. We are happy to have Mrs. Rydén in Helsinki on 21 April, 2011 with Maestro Andres Mustonen, Helsinki Baroque Orchestra and Suomen Laulu Choir. The programme includes J.S. Bach: St. Matthew's Passion and it will be a live broadcasting via YLE Radio 1.

Jenni Lättilä as Lady Macbeth

Dramatic soprano Jenni Lättilä will debut in the role of Lady Macbeth in Verdi's opera Macbeth on the New Years Eve 2010 in Jyväskylä, Finland. The Macbeth is a production by Keski-Suomen Alueooppera together with the Jyväskylä Symphony and conductor Tibor Boganyi. The stage director is Ville Saukkonen. Keski-Suomen Alueooppera has a long tradition to celebrate the New Years Eve with a new, dazzling production.

FIERY MOMENTS OF A BROKEN TANGO
Johanna Juhola Reaktori: Tango Roto Live (JJCD 001)

On 11 December 2010, accordionist and composer Johanna Juhola together with the group Reaktori release the album Tango Roto Live. This will be the third album to be released under Juhola’s name. Her previous releases include the solo album Miette (Texicalli Records 2006) and Fantasiatango (Texicalli Records 2010). Both received excellent reviews in the press and Fantasiatango also spent four consecutive months on the World Music Charts Europe list (www.wmce.de).

The music for Tango Roto Live was recorded during the modern tango show that was performed at the Savoy Theatre in Helsinki in autumn 2009, the music for which was the work of Johanna Juhola Reaktori. Among the dancers and choreographers who performed were the Finnish virtuosi in Argentinean tango Nina and John Krook as well as Jussi Väänänen and Katja Koukkula, who are a new force in partner dancing and winners of the Euro Dance Contest and the British Open Rising Star competition. Their light footwork can be seen in the Fantasiatango music video, which is also available on the CD.

Tango Roto means broken tango, and Johanna Juhola Reaktori break the tango mould with their playful, open attitude. Juhola’s fantasiatango style, which she debuted with her previous release, draws on the combination of acoustic and electronic instruments as well as a cinematic atmosphere.

Juhola is not only known for her mastery of the tango but also as a charismatic and enigmatic performer, as well as a virtuoso who naturally combines various kinds of musical styles. She is also considered to be one of the most important innovators in accordion playing and the tango in Finland.

In Reaktori, Juhola plays with three other equally passionate top musicians. Alongside Juhola, the album features three tango compositions by Milla Viljamaa, a top name in folk music for piano and perhaps the world’s only tango harmonium player. The respected and charismatic sound designer Tuomas Norvio has worked not only with Reaktori but also the modern circus group Circo Aereo, Rinneradio and the Wimme ensemble. Sara Puljula is one of Finland’s most popular bass players and she plays in ensembles such as Pekka Kuusisto & Luomuplayers and Spontaani Vire. She is also well-known as a theatre musician in many of Finland’s largest theatres.

10th International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition

The 10th International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition will be broadcasted via Internate by YLE.fi

Up-to-date: 2nd Dec at 10 pm, First Prize goes for Mr Nikita Boriso-Glebsky, Second Prize for Mr Petteri Iivonen and Third Prize goes for Ms Esther Yoo. Congratulations!

The finalists are: Mr Nikita Boriso-Glebsky (RUS/BEL), Mr Petteri Iivonen (FIN), Ms Bomsori Kim (KOR), Ms Emma Steele (USA), Ms Esther Yoo (USA/BEL), Ms Nancy Zhou (USA).

* The other Finnish competitor, Ms Sini Simonen made her way to the Second Round and played strongly and beautifully her repertoire. Congratulations Sini!

The Puppet Theatre La Tia Norica to Finland

The Puppet Theatre La Tia Norica performs together with The Tapiola Sinfonietta Orchestra on Thursday 2 December 2010 at 7pm in Espoo-City in Finland. They will perform two pieces by Falla with two Finnish soloists, mezzo-soprano Riikka Rantanen and bass-baritone Juha Kotilainen. Read more

Soprano Jenni Lättilä won the third prize at the Lauritz Melchior International Singing Competition in Denmark

Soprano Jenni Lättilä has been accepted to the first Wagner singing competition in Denmark, the Laurtiz Melchior International Singing Competition 2010. "From the 6th to 13th of November the new Lauritz Melchior international singing competition is held in Aalborg. Here young singers compete before an international opera jury to be named the best Wagner singer.

Lauritz Melchior international singing competition is named after Denmark's international recognized Wagner Tenor Lauritz Melchior, who was one of the 20th century's most popular tenors.

All young singers can participate in the competition, but only 16 singers are participating in the final rounds. The 16 finalist are selected by "blind listening", here the jury members listen to recordings without knowing the candidates' names. The competition is a recurring event every third year. Read more: Visit Denmark."

UP-TO-DATE Sat 13 November, 2010 at 11:20pm: The winner of the First Lauritz Melchior International Singing Competition is Allison Denise Oakes, soprano (United Kingdom). Veselina Teneva, mezzosoprano (Bulgaria) won the second prize and Jenni Lättilä, soprano (Finland) won the third prize. Falko Hönisch, barytone (Denmark) won the fourth pirz. Our warmest congratulations for all winners! Live performance via Danish Radio P2.

UP-TO-DATE Wed 10 November, 2010 at 11:20pm: Four galafinalists are: , Jenni Lättilä, soprano (Finland), Veselina Teneva, mezzosoprano (Bulgaria) ja Allison Denise Oakes, soprano (United Kingdom). Congratulations!

* The Gala programme for soprano Jenni Lättilä will be Elsa's dream "Einsam in trüben Tagen" (Lohengrin) and Isolde's "Liebestod" (Tristan und Isolde).

* The Gala Final will be broadcasted by Danish Radio P2 on Saturday 13 November at 19:30 local time (20:30 in Finland).

Up-to-date Mon 8, November: Soprano Jenni Lättilä has made her way to the Semifinal together with the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra and conductor Gregor Bühl. Listen to the broadcasting via Internet

Danish Radio P2: Local time at 7 pm, Wednesday 10 November 2010

Recall:
DR Klassik: Local time at 4 pm, Thursday 11 November 2010

Saxophonist Joonatan Rautiola won the 4th Prize in Adolphe Sax

Classical saxophonist Joonatan Rautiola was one of the 150 competitors is the International Adolphe Sax Competition in Dinant, Belgium in the beginning of November 2010. Rautiola won the 4th Prize 3.000 euros and Selmer Series III Prize 4.000 euros. Rautiola's programme included the Ballade by Frank Martin and as a oblicatory, the Rhapsody by André Waignein.

New Chamber Music Festival by Seppo Kimanen in Kauniainen, Finland

Mr Seppo Kimanen has founded a new chamber music festival nearby Helsinki, Kauniainen - Grankulla. www.kauniaistenmusiikkijuhlat.fi / Grankulla Musikfest The first festival will be held on 28th - 31st October 2010. The main focus of the new festival is to combine science and art as well as European and Asian culture. The English page will be open soon.

Sunday 31 Oct. "Uusi Paviljonki" at 15:30
Lied and opera-arias by Petteri Salomaa, baritone, Helena Juntunen, soprano, Tiina-Maija Koskela, soprano and Emil Holmström, piano.

New Etno & Jazz Artists joined to Festium

Festium is happy to announce that the following young and talented artists has joined to the Festium Artist's Management:

Jazz musician and singer Emma Larsson, who has just released her second solo CD "Let It Go" with a great review from All About Jazz/ C. Michael Bailey

Etno artist, Kantele-player and singer Vilma Timonen, who was granted the Etno-Emma 2009 for her CD "Forward" by Vilma Timonen Quartet (VTQ).

Etno artist, violin player Emilia Lajunen, known from the many groups such as Spontaani Vire, Suo, Juuri and Juuri with Eero Grundström. Check out her solo concert, Emilia Lajunen Fixed, 16 April 2010 at the Sibelius Academy Hall with Eero Grundström and Philippo Gambetta.

Soprano Helena Juntunen at Lahti Symphony's Sibelius Festival

“Sibelius – Symphonic Smith”

"The Lahti Symphony Orchestra’s eleventh International Sibelius Festival – conducted by the festival’s artistic director, Jukka-Pekka Saraste – will take place on 9th–12th September 2010. The festival programme will include works from Sibelius’s late period and Kullervo.

At the 2008 and 2009 festivals we followed Sibelius’s development from a talented national figure Into a composer who was fluent in the European musical language of his time. At the 2010 festival, we follow this line of development towards ever greater independence from the rest of the world’s trends. In start contrast to these late orchestral works, the festival’s orchestral concerts conclude with Kullervo, a work from his youth. This is a fervent show of strength by a young man who was on the way to achieving public recognition – a piece which, as I see it, is exceptionally rich in individuality for such an early orchestral work. In this way we get two interesting viewpoints on ‘Finnishness’: the change in Sibelius’s style also depicts different aspects of Finnishness – from the primeval utterance of Kullervo to the economy of expression found in that late works.

The soloists at the festival’s orchestral concerts will be Alina Pogostkina, winner of the Sibelius Violin Competition in 2005, and two of the truly great Finnish singers, Helena Juntunen and Jorma Hynninen. In addition to Saturday’s performance of the Kullervo symphony, the Sunday morning concert too will feature choral music."

Johanna Juhola Reaktori and Emilia Lajunen at FOLKERLARM 2010

"Folkelarm is a key Nordic music industry convention which aims at promoting acts from the Scandinavian folk music scene for domestic as well as international music industry execs and media representatives...In recent years, Folkelarm has drawn app 50 international delegates from over 20 countries in addition to more than 100 domestic delegates." Read more.

Festium is very happy to promote so many Finnish artists this year: Johanna Juhola Reaktori; Johanna Juhola (accoridon), Milla Viljamaa (piano), Sara Puljula (double bass) and Tuomas Norvio (live electronics) as well as Emilia Lajunen Fixed, which is a new soloproject by violinist Emilia Lajunen.

VIDEO: Emilia Lajunen Fixed on Siba-TV (16th April 2010)
VIDEO: Johanna Juhola.net (Gallery)

* Check out also the "Finnish surprise" concert on Saturday 11, September 2010 at 00:30 Riksscenen, Oslo, Norway.

Johanna Juhola's "Fantasiatango" on the European World Music Chart

Accordionist Johanna Juhola's second solo CD by Texicalli, "Fantasiatango" (Released on March, 2010) has reached the European World Music Chart. In July 2010 the Fantasiatango CD holds the position of 10th. Congratulations for the Finnish record company, Texicalli Records and for Johanna Juhola!

New Finnish Opera by composer Ilkka Kuusisto

The world premiere of new Finnish Opera "Taipaleenjoki" by composer Ilkka Kuusisto will be performed on 16 June 2010 at the Ilmajoki Music Festival. "Taipaleenjoki" is a war opera

Sopranos Jenni Lättilä and Mia Heikkinen in Norrköoping, Sweden

Sopranos Jenni Lättilä and Mia Heikkinen has been advanced to the second round at the Wilhelm Stenhammar International Music Competition in Norrköping, Sweden.

"Wilhelm Stenhammar International Music Competition (WSIMC) is a song contest in the classical music of the utmost class. It is held for the third time in De Geer Hall in cooperation with the Norrköping Symphony Orchestra, SON.
- This is tomorrow's Luciano Pavarotti and Birgit Nilsson, who is here given the chance to prove themselves before the international jury, said Sonja Stenhammar. The jury consists of seven big names in the world of opera, with the Court Opera Singer Kerstin Meyer as Chairman." Read more.

"Wilhelm Stenhammar International Music Competition (WSIMC) är en sångtävling inom klassisk musik av yttersta världsklass. Den hålls för tredje gången i De Geerhallen i samarbete med Norrköpings Symfoniorkester, SON.
- Det här är morgondagens Luciano Pavarotti och Birgit Nilsson, som här får chansen att visa upp sig inför den internationella tävlingsjuryn, säger Sonja Stenhammar. Juryn består av sju stora namn inom operans värld, med hovsångare Kerstin Meyer som ordförande." Läs mera.

Mikko Innanen & Innkvisitio plays in Rochester, Ottawa, Vancouver

FIMIC: "Rochester International Jazz Festival (11-19 June 2010) continues with its highly popular Nordic Jazz Now series, presenting top-class ensembles from Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark already for several years. In the 2010 edition, their Finnish choice is Mikko Innanen & Innkvisitio, a group of experienced and appreciated musicians playing Innanen’s musically adventurous compositions.

After their Rochester gig on 19 June, Mikko Innanen & Innkvisitio continue their North American tour to Canada, where they perform at Ottawa Jazz Festival on 24 June and Vancouver International Jazz Festival 25-26 June. (Henna Salo / Fimic,27 May, 2010)".

Johanna Juhola's "Fantasiatango" on the European World Music Chart

Accordionist Johanna Juhola's second solo CD by Texicalli, "Fantasiatango" (Released on March, 2010) has reached the European World Music Chart. In June 2010 the Fantasiatango CD holds the position of 14th. Congratulations for the Finnish record company, Texicalli Records and for Johanna Juhola!

Pianist Laura Mikkola's portrait in the French Television

The Frence Television RTBF has made a portrait of Finnish pianist Laura Mikkola. The portrait has been seen on TVMond5 on 27-28 May 2010. It will be also seen afterwards on RTBF Internet Pages.

Pianist Laura Mikkola is the artistic director of Iitti (Chamber) Music Festival, Finland, 8-12 June 2010. The small festival is know of its unique atmosphere.

Soprano Helena Juntunen as Marietta in Die tote Stadt in Nancy
- Great reviews for Helena, Congratulations!

The Opéra Nationale de Lorraine premiered opera La Ville morte by Korngold on 9 May 2010 under the baton of Daniel Klajner. This was a role debut for Finnish soprano Helena Juntunen, who sung Marietta. The other main role singers were Michael Hedrick, Thomas Oliemans and Nadine Weissmann. There were five performances together until 18 May 2010.

Some reviews:

"Perle absolue, Helena Juntunen a tout pour convaincre en Marietta ; belle et sculpturale, scéniquement à l’aise et même délurée, elle s’y investit pleinement et réussit un portrait proche de l’idéal de séductrice peu farouche, presque vulgaire et intensément sensuelle. Sur le plan vocal, il est incroyable d’entendre cette Pamina, cette Arabella, cette Gilda, darder sans difficulté ses aigus ronds et pleins et passer sans fatigue l’imposante masse orchestrale."

"Marietta appelle des moyens moins monstrueux sans doute, mais une chanteuse à l’égal de l’actrice, instrumentale autant que théâtrale, une Salomé qui serait, aussi, une Lulu. Helena Juntunen, une Pamina, une Marguerite qui a aussi osé la Marie de Wozzeck, n’a été ni l’une ni l’autre encore, mais les fusionne, déjà. Souple, pulpeuse, aguicheuse, venimeuse, c’est une liane, une chatte, de voix et de corps, dont la féminité triomphante est poussée jusqu’à l’expresionnisme."

"à l'excellente Marietta de Helena Juntunen, phrasant magnifiquement cette musique qu'elle sert de moyens généreux avec autant de souplesse vocale que d'intelligence scénique..." www.helenajuntunen.com

DUO Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola plays at ETNOFEST, Serbia

ETNOFEST has invited Duo Milla Viljamaa (piano) and Johanna Juhola (accordion) to play for ETNOFEST 2010 on Letnja pozornica Palic.

ETNOFEST is a multicultural project started 7 years ago, in the town of Subotica - the very north point of Serbia. Half way between Belgrade and Budapest. The festival is based on presenting cultures of the world mostly through music, documentary films, exhibitions, different workshops... Main event is the ETNOFEST World Culture festival scheduled annually in June, and organized as an open air event in a beautiful "castle-like" stage by the Lake Palic.

Johanna Juhola Reaktori performs at the MADE-festival Umeå

Accordionist Johanna Juhola with her Reaktori band; Sara Puljula, Milla Viljmaa and Tuomas Norvio, will perform at the MADE Festival in Umeå, Sweden on Friday 7 May 2010. The MADE Festival has been organised from 2006 by the Norrlands Opera.

The theme of the year is "From the soul's forget", taken from a poem by Gunnar Ekelöf. "The theme means the festival will focus on artists who dare to question their creativity and their lives and who succeed in developing through their willingness to challenge themselves. Music, Art, Dance, Etc – MADE is lots of everything!"

Soprano Susanne Rydén in Berlin with Helsinki Baroque Orchestra

Baroque specialist Susanne Rydén will have a concert with the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra at the Konserthaus Berlin on Tuesday 4, May 2010. The "Nordnote" concert will be lead by cembalist Aapo Häkkinen, who has been the artistic director of the Helsinki Baroque Orchestra since 2003. The programme includes Bach, Handel and Agrell.

Soprano Helena Juntunen records at the Beethoven Easter Festival

Soprano Helena Juntunen performs with Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra at the XIV Ludvig van Beethoven Easter Festival on 27 March 2010 in Warsow. The prgramme includes Euryanthe opera by Carl Maria von Weber. Opera will be performed conzertante and it will be recorded.

Accordion meets electronica - new album release by Juhola

Johanna Juhola: Fantasiatango (TEXCD106)

TEXICALLI RECORDS: Tens of millions of TV viewers saw Johanna Juhola play the song "Fantasiatango" as an opener for Eurovision song contest 2007 in Helsinki. The title of the album describes very well the style of the music, which is completely composed by Johanna herself.

Besides Tango Nuevo, electronica plays a big role in Johanna's music because the album has been produced and mixed by internationally acclaimed music producer Tuomas Norvio, who has also worked with f. ex. Wimme and Rinneradio. Tuomas has done all the album programming. The other musicians are members of Johanna Juhola Trio and Johanna Juhola Reaktori. As well as accordion Johanna also plays claviola, toy grand piano and glockenspiel.

The songs have originally been composed for theatre, so they are certain kind of short stories. About limping man, who created an unique tango dancing style, about the last coyote, the stressful modern communication speed, jealousy and about band mates with whom is possible to make musical dreams come true.

Juhola shows that accordion isn't only just an old-fashioned instrument. She surfs fluently from modern folk music to classical, jazz and even pop and tours frequently with such a great bands like Spontaani Vire, Duo Milla Viljamaa and Johanna Juhola, Tango-orkesteri Unto, Timo Alakotila & Johanna Juhola Duo & Troka

Read also: FIMIC News

"Jazz from North" - On Finnish Television

FIMIC News: "Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) will present a brand new television series on Nordic jazz in the Finnish national television, starting on 5 March on YLE Teema channel. The 7-part series "Jazz from North" (Jazzia pohjoisesta) includes four theme documentaries and three live performance episodes presenting the legends and talents of the Nordic jazz.

The theme documentaries explore the "myth" of the Nordic jazz, jazz education, everyday life of the jazz musicians as well as the contemporary stylistic "jungle" of jazz today. The live episodes, on the other hand, illustrate the sound of the Nordic jazz, its influences and its energy. The artists featured in the live episodes include, for example, Finnish names like Verneri Pohjola, Karikko and The Five Corners Quintet, along with their Nordic colleagues. " Read more: FIMIC News.

20th March 2010 Ilmiliekki Quartet on Akaa Jazz Festival (FI)

Accordionist Johanna Juhola at WOMEX - Copenhagen, Denmark

Opening 28 October, 2009 - The Great Nordic Light
Featuring soloists: Johanna Juhola among others.

"WOMEX is proud to announce a special, exclusive event for the Opening Concert – the Great Nordic Night, presented in association with the Danish Folk Council. In Danish Broadcasting’s great Koncerthuset, a newly built concert venue in Copenhagen, an all-star Nordic band takes to the stage with artists from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Faroe Islands, Samiland and Greenland. Danish fiddler Harald Haugaard has created and will direct this once-in-a-lifetime concert experience."

Johanna Juhola & Reaktori in Mo i Rana, Norway

Accordionist Johanna Juhola will play with his band "Reaktori" at the Smeltedigelen Festival in Mo I Rana, Norway. The other members of Reaktori are pianist Milla Viljamaa (harmonium), Sara Puljula, bass and Verneri Lumi electronics. The concert is organized by Festspillene i Nord-Norge.

Urlyd - Mory Kanté, Johanna Juhola, Rogel Ludvigsen m flere

Läs mer: Ranaposten 20.9.2009

Soprano Helena Juntunen in the role of Micaëla at FNO

Soprano Helena Juntunen will be heard as Micaëla in the Bizet's opera Carmen at the Finnish National Opera. The revival will be on 5 November 2009 and the performances goes on till mid-December. This will be a new role debut for Ms. Juntunen.

New website for baritone Petteri Salomaa, soprano Susanne Rydén and pianist Laura Mikkola

Finnish baritone Petteri Salomaa has opened a new website: www.petterisalomaa.com in May 2009. Swedish baroque specialist, soprano Susanne Rydén has also renewed her website www.susanneryden.com and Finnish pianist Laura Mikkola opened her website www.lauramikkola.net
on August 2009. Welcome to listen to fine samples from all artists.

Soprano Susanne Rydén gives concert and masterclass in Finland

Soprano Susanne Rydén got an excellent reviews from her performance as Dorinda in Handel's Orlando in Göttningen 2008 - in the end of August 2009 the hole production was available also in Sweden, Drottningholm Court Theatre:

"Den utsökta barocksångerskan Susanne Rydén är en kvickt impulsiv och känslorik Dorinda, drillar som en näktergal och leker med koloraturerna."
Svenska Dagbladet 23.8.2009.

"....Men bäst av alla är ändå Susanne Rydén i rollen som herdinnan Dorinda. Utvecklingen från oskuldsfull flickaktighet till passionerad kärlekssorg innebär en vokal resa som inte bara vittnar om stora röstresurser utan också om stor musikalisk intelligens." Dagens Nyheter 23.8.2009.

Soprano Rydén will be heard on 2 October in Finland at the Helsinki Early Music 2009 -festival. There is also an opportunity to take part to her masterclass. Read more.

SOS: Save our seals: "Norppa Aid" concert in Helsinki

Big-name Finnish classical musicians; Elina Mustonen, cembalo, Olli Mustonen, piano, Ismo Eskelinen, guitar, Pekka Kuusisto, violin and Petteri Salomaa, baritone, are arranging a special concert to raise funds for the conservation of Finland's endangered lake seals.

Nature-loving musicians will perform on September 21 in Helsinki's Temppeliaukio Church. The proceeds from the "Norppa Aid" concert will be donated to the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation to help protect the Saimaa ringed seal (norppa in Finnish).

This unique freshwater seal – Finland's only endemic mammal – is on the verge of extinction.

The atmospherically and acoustically blessed concert venue is well known to tourists by the nickname Rock Church, as the building was literally carved out of the side of an enormous boulder. Read more.

Soprano Helena Juntunen opens the 10. Sibelius Festival in Lahti, Finland

The Lahti Symphony Orchestra’s 10th International Sibelius Festival will be held at the Sibelius Hall on 10th-13th September 2009 conducted by its artistic director, Jukka-Pekka Saraste. The theme of the festival is ‘Sibelius – Towards Europe’, and the programme consists of works from Sibelius’s middle period. During the festival there are three orchestral concerts (10th-12th September), two chamber music concerts (12th and 13th September) and other Sibelius-themed activites. Read more.

Thu 10. Sept at 7pm: Scene with Cranes, Luonnotar and other orchestral songs, Symphony nr 2, cond. Jukka-Pekka Saraste.

Japan premier of Sibelius' Tempest of to play in entirety

The Japan Times Online 28th Sept by Chiho Iuchi:Among the events being held to mark the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Finland, a standout is the first performance in its entirety here of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius' music to Shakespeare's play "The Tempest."

Sibelius (1865-1957) created seven symphonies, as well as numerous symphonic poems, a violin concerto, incidental music for 13 plays and vocal and piano pieces. Influenced by Romantic Nationalism, and inspired by his homeland's nature and landscape, his music has played an important role in building the country's national identity.

"The Tempest," completed in 1926 for a production at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, is one of the composer's last great works. Afterwards, Sibelius restructured the 70-minute-long work into two suites, and it has rarely been heard since as a whole. Hence the upcoming concerts in Tokyo and Niigata City provide the first opportunity for audiences to hear the entire score.

Under the baton of Naoto Otomo, who has often performed and recorded Sibelius' works, the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra is collaborating with Finnish singers Helena Juntunen (soprano) as Juno, Tiina-Maija Koskela (mezzo-soprano) as Ariel, Niall Chorell (tenor) as Stephano and Petteri Salomaa (baritone) as Caliban, along with Hiroaki Otsuka (baritone) as Trinculo and the Tokyo Symphony Chorus."

Helena Juntunen at the BBC Proms in London

Soprano Helena Juntunen performs at the Prom51: Haydn/Szymanowski/Brahms concert on 23 August at 6:30pm. The BBC Symphony orchestra is conducted by Osmo Vänskä. The porgramme includes Stabat Mater by Szymanowski (in Polish).

Petteri Salomaa at the Christopher Summer Festival in Vilnius with pianist Steinunn Birna Ragnarsdóttir - "Northern Flowers"

August 13, 7.00pm St. Catherine's Church

"Just like two beautiful flowers of the North, so too shall the warm, clear voice of the most prominent Finnish baritone, Petteri Salomaa, and the sensitive accompaniment of Islandic pianist Steinunn Birna Ragnarsdóttir blossom in our very own St. Catherine‘s Church.

P. Salomaa is one of those vocalists who sing not just with their voice. His whole body and gaze sings, and he presents the audience with a striking, new character for every piece, in whose complex world of emotions we see ourselves, our aspirations, dreams, and experiences.
Programme features R. Schumann, T. Kuula, J. Sibelius"

Rodion Shtshedrin comes to Turku Music Festival

Turku Music Festival celebrates its 50th Anniversary. The Anniversary programme is full of higlights and one of them is to have composer Rodion Shtshedrin and his wife Maya Plisetskaya as honoured guests at a concert with music by Shtshedrin and Olli Mustonen. The programme includes remarkable workpieces by close friends, both composers and pianists Shtshedrin & Mustonen performed by themselves and their guests. Baritone Petteri Salomaa sings Mustonen's four songs on Eino Leino's poems and Shtshedrin's vocal cycle opus 118 :"My Age, My Wild Beast" (text by Osip Mandelstam). Other guests are Sole Mustonen, oboe, Philippe Graffin, violin, Joel Laakso, cello and actor Tiia Louste.

VI International Miriam Helin Singing Competition in Helsinki

The Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition, organised every five years by the Finnish Cultural Foundation, will again be bringing the best young vocal talents to Helsinki 1-12 August 2009. Competitors from Festium are: sopranos Mia Heikkinen and Ilona Jokinen and mezzosoprano Tiina-Maija Koskela.

"Previous winners include mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca and bass René Pape. The competition became a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (Fédération Mondiale des Concours Internationaux de Musique, Geneva) in 1987.

The Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition is intended for young singers with experience and maturity. The competition has two categories, one for women and one for men. Women born in 1978 or later and men born in 1976 or later are eligible to participate in the competition, regardless of nationality." Read more.

Johanna Juhola Trio for Sweden, URKULT- Folkfest vid Nämforsen

URKULT: "Johanna is without doubt one of Finland’s most accomplished Accordionists , which in combination with her enthralling stage personality makes her simply irresistible. In contrast to the sometimes melancholic Finish accordion sound, her music is vibrant and funny. Her compositions are inventive and sensitive. Johanna will be accompanied by a guitarist and possibly a surprise guest artist." URKULT 30 July, 2009, Read more.

Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola at the City of London festival

Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola performs at the City of London festival in 3 July, 2009 and 6 July 2009. Johanna will also perform with Unto Tango Orchestra, a Finnish Tango group with leading Finnish folk musicians. London City festival is celebrating a " Finnish Tango Friday" on 3 July 2009 at the Guildhall Yard.

Finnish Folk Music in Japan - Johanna Juhola Trio

FIMIC: "Johanna Juhola Trio and Nordik Tree will play in Japan at the end of May. The concerts coincide with music export event Finland Fest, arranged every year in Tokyo by Fimic, Music Export Finland, Sibelius Academy and Finnish Institute in Japan. The main event focuses on the export and networking of the Finnish pop / rock field, but these two top class folk acts will have their concerts as an integral part of the programme.

Johanna Juhola Trio (Johanna Juhola - accordion, Roope Aarnio - guitar, Hannu Oskala - sound design) will tour in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya on 27-31 May, in connection with the Japanese release of Johanna Juhola's first solo album "Miette" (released in Japan by P-Vine Records)." Read more FIMIC News.

DUO Timo Alakotila & Johanna Juhola in Stockholm, Stallet

Duo Timo Alakotila & Johanna Juhola performs in Stockholm, Stallet on 13 May 2009.

FIMIC: The contemporary Finnish folk music is extensively presented in Sweden throughout the spring season of 2009. Capital Stockholm's leading folk and world music club Stallet will have several Finnish bands in their programme, e.g. the harmonica quartet Sväng, Johanna Juhola-Timo Alakotila duo and the Finnish-Swedish trio Nordik Tree. Stallet's special attention towards Finnish folk scene roused when their producer took part in Fimic's showcase event Arctic Paradise LIVE 2008.

Stallet cooperates with the Finnish cultural institute for Sweden, which is also actively presenting folk music in its own premises. The concert series features, e.g., probably the most famous formation of Finnish folk fiddling JPP as well as the Finnish roma master singer Hilja Grönfors and her band. Besides Stockholm, there will be a tour reaching cities of Eskilstuna, Rättvik and Gävle. Many of the concerts will be broadcasted by Swedish Radio.

The Cultural Festival - the major summer city festival in Stockholm - takes place in August and will also celebrate music from Finland in its programme. Two outdoor stages will feature Finnish acts from tango to the trendiest Helsinki scene. Read more FIMIC News

Welcome fo Finland - Arctic Paradise LIVE

FIMIC: "Finnish contemporary folk music is showcased for international professionals on 16-19 April in Helsinki and Espoo. Encouraged by the excellent results of the previous editions, Finnish Music Information Centre now organises Arctic Paradise LIVE for the third time.

Altogether 21 VIP invitees, including decision-makers of major festivals and venues as well as journalists and editors, arrive to Finland from all over Europe, the US, Canada, Mexico and Japan. Womex, probably the most important yearly event of the world music professionals, is also represented. The showcase aims to increase international performances and awareness of Finnish folk and world music. The idea is also to present a versatile variety of these genres – from the traditional fiddling of Frigg to Ismo Alanko Teholla, a Finnish rock legend whose music today is impossible to pigeonhole." Read more FIMIC News.

* Sat 18 April, 7pm, Sibelius-Academy, Chamber Hall, Pohjoinen Rautatienkatu, Milla Viljamaa & Co

Soprano Helena Juntunen as Mimi in Göteborgs Operan

Göteborgs Operan: "Every generation has the right to see the La Bohème of its own time. The opera raises the serious questions of what it means to grow up and to take responsibility for survival in this world. Appropriately enough we have chosen a young production team as well as a young group of singers. The director, Elisabeth Linton and stage designer, Astrid Lynge Ottosen, have produced an unembellished version that places focus on the drama of the opera.

In the roles of the two lovers, Mimì and Rodolfo, we will be able to enjoy the singing of the Finnish soprano, Helena Juntunen and the Turkish tenor, Bülent Bezdüz. The Opera’s principal conductor, Pietro Rizzo, will ensure that Puccini’s legato melodies are afforded the right Italian drive."

Premiere: 22 November 2008

LISTEN live in Internet: Sveriges Radio P2

Finnish folk tours in Switzerland, Germany and Austria

FIMIC: "Several Finnish folk acts will tour in the German speaking countries in early 2009. The jouhikko (bowed lyre) quartet Jouhiorkesteri will visit the Nordklang festival in Switzerland on February 7, 2009. Suden aika (27 Feb - 8 Mar), Kuunkuiskaajat (12 - 20 Mar), Timo Alakotila - Johanna Juhola Duo (28 Mar - 3 Apr) and Frigg (18 - 25 Apr) will perform around Germany and Switzerland later in the spring. In addition, Accordion Tribe, featuring Finnish accordionist Maria Kalaniemi, will tour in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in April 2009."

TOURPLAN for DUO Timo Alakotila & Johanna Juhola:

Saturday, 28 March, Solingen, Forum Produktdesign
Sunday, 29 March, Heiligenhaus, Museum Abtsküche
Tuesday 31 March, Stans, Chäslager
Wednesday 1 April, Zürich, GZ Buchegg
Thursday 2 April, Burgdorf, Schmiedechäuer
Friday 3. April, Rüti, Restaurant Sternen

Pianist Milla Viljamaa tours in Australia with violinist Pekka Kuusisto

Pianist Milla Viljamaa is touring Australia with Pekka Kuusisto and Australian Chamber Orchestra 12-26 March 2009. Concerts are in Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaine, Pert, Brisbane and Wollongong. The programme includes two violin consertos composed by J. S. Bach and a concerto that includes some finnish folk tradition made by Timo Alakotila. Pianist Milla Viljaa will play harmonium

Jazz-Yrjö Prize awarded to Mikko Innanen

Finnish Jazz Federation: "The Finnish Jazz Federation has awarded the annual Yrjö prize to saxophone player Mikko Innanen. He is the 41st musician to receive the highest accolade given in Finnish jazz.

Born in Lapinjärvi in 1978, Mikko Innanen is regarded as one of the top talents of the new generation in Finnish jazz. Versatile, bold in improvisation, and remarkably innovative, Innanen breaks both national and musical boundaries with remarkable ease. His highly-regarded artistic touch has thus far graced ensembles such as Nuijamiehet, Mr Fonebone, Teddy Rok Seven, Delirium, Gourmet, and Triade. One of the main outfits under his leadership is Mikko Innanen & Innkvisitio." (22 Nov, 2008) Read more. Other links: Helsingin Sanomat

LISTEN MySpace: Mikkko Innanen & Innkvisitio

Pianist Laura Mikkola to play by the Nile

International Finnish pianist virtuoso Laura Mikkola and Egyptian conductor Ahmed AlSaeidi with his Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra will perform at the Manasterly Palace Saturday 29th of November at 8PM.

Laura who had toured the world with her captivating recitals will be performing for the first time in Egypt for the growing Egyptian classic music audience. It is noteworthy to mention that the Egyptian-Finnish cooperation in the field of classical music has been growing in the last few years. A joint Egyptian-Finnish classical musical performance to promote young Egyptian talents takes place every year. - Laura's energetic concerts are unforgettable spiritual treats for music lovers. Read more.

Mikko Innanen & Innkvisitio at the Umeå Jazz Festival

Umeå Jazz Festival 22 - 26 October 2008 celebrates 40th Anniversary: "The anniversary will shine it´s light over this years festival. We will meet some of the old ”young and angry” ones. Reunions with classical jazzlegends will occur. But we will also meet the future in the youngest and most conteporary musicians of today."

CHECK OUT: Thursday 23 October 2008, at 7:00pm Sono c/o Umeå Jazzfestival, at 8:30 Monks Casino and 10:30pm Mikko Innanen & Innkvisitio with special line-up: Mikko Innanen, Seppo Kantonen, Joonas Riippa, Fredrik Ljungkvist and Daniel Erdmann.

Einojuhani Rautavaara 80 years

FIMIC: "Einojuhani Rautavaara will turn 80 years on October 9, 2008. The composer's birthday will be celebrated with concerts in Helsinki and Turku (among others). In the same week, Sibelius Academy will arrange a seminar with concerts dedicated to the music of Einojuhani Rautavaara and Paavo Heininen, both celebrating anniversaries this year."

Tuesday 7 October 2008, Vivant Professores! Mikael Helasvuo, Emil Holmström, Mia Huhta, Teppo Koivisto, Jenni Lättilä, Ilmo Ranta, Kaija Saarikettu. Rautavaara, Heininen. The concert is part of Rautavaara Symposium.

Johanna Juhola in Folkelarm, Oslo, Norway

Accordionist Johanna Juhola will represent Finland in Folkelarm Oslo, 25 - 28 September 2008. In showcases you will hear Johanna Juhola's music from her solo-CD "Miette" (TEXCD070) released byTexicalli Records, Finland, in 2006. Johanna Juhola will perform together with Roope Aarnio, guitar and Hannu Oskala, voice engineer.

Baritone Petteri Salomaa in the role of Ulysses

Drottningholms Slottsteater 2008 Festival: "Our Monteverdi cycle continues with a new production of The Return of Ulysses (Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria). This work was premièred in Venice in 1640, and is now being performed at Drottningholm for the first time.

Monteverdi explores the realms of fidelity and deceit, passion and obsession, and takes us on a real baroque adventure. With the help of Drottningholm’s theatre machinery humans become as playthings in the hands of the Gods as they are flung from the underworld up to the skies.

The fine cast is headed by Finnish baritone Petteri Salomaa in the role of Ulysses and Swedish mezzo-soprano Ann Hallenberg as Penelope. Johanna Garpe, returning to the opera stage after several years as Swedish cultural attaché in London, directs at Drottningholm for the first time. The costumes are designed by Karin Erskine, whom we warmly welcome back to the theatre." Among other soloists, Anders Dahlin (Telemaco), Susanne Rydén (Minerva, Fortuna) and Tove Dahlberg (Melanto, Amore).

Soprano Helena Juntunen in the title role of 'Anna-Liisa'

FIMIC News: 'Anna Liisa', a long awaited opera by Veli-Matti Puumala, will be seen on stage at the Helsinki Festival in August 2008.

The opera is based on a play written in 1895 by a famous Finnish realist writer and social activist, Minna Canth. The story is set in 19th century Finland, but Puumala's adaptation focuses on the universal themes of an individual and the society, especially on a woman's responsibility for herself and for the society. The libretto has been adapted by the composer himself, using the original play, other texts by Minna Canth, as well as folk and hymn poems, and some new texts by Tiina Käkelä-Puumala.

Puumala has been planning the opera for more than ten years. The opera wasfirst commissioned by Jorma Hynninen to be premiered at the Savonlinna Opera Festival on 2003, but it was withdrawn as Hynninen left the festival. After that, the production went over to Music Theatre Kapsäkki, who is responsible for the upcoming performances together with Tapiola Sinfonietta and Helsinki Festival.

"Anna Liisa" will be premiered on August 18, 2008, at the Alexander Theatre in Helsinki. The demanding role of Anna Liisa will be sung by soprano Helena Juntunen, with Ville Rusanen, Juha Hostikka, Sanna Kurki-Suonio, Jorma Hynninen, Reetta Ristimäki and Anu Hostikka in other roles. The opera will be directed by Erik Söderblom, and the Tapiola Sinfonietta will be conducted by Jan Söderblom.

Pianist Tuija Hakkila to appear at the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York

The pianist Tuija Hakkila will perform at the Mostly Mozart Festival in New York on 15 & 17 August 2008. Hakkila’s programme on 15 August includes two works for piano by Kaija Saariaho, "Prélude" and "Ballade", and in addition the New York premiere of "Serenatas, for percussion, piano and cello" together with the cellist Anssi Karttunen and percussionist David Cossin.

Tuija Hakkila gave the world premiere of Prélude, which was written for her by Kaija Saariaho, in April 2007 at the Sibelius Academy Concert Hall, when she also performed Ballade, which was originally written for Emanuel Ax. Both pieces were completed in 2006 and they inhibit the same compositional language as the song cycle Quatre Instants, which was composed in 2003.
Hakkila gave the world premiere of the Quatre Instants song cycle together with the soprano Karita Mattila. The themes of the Quatre Instants song cycle deal with various aspects of love: distant love, the wrong kind, sensual love and a mixture of them all. In this respect, the musical language contains elements from Kaija Saariaho’s first opera L’Amour de loin and from Adriana Mater, which received its premiere last year in Paris.

The pianist Tuija Hakkila has been performing Kaija Saariaho’s music since the 1980s both on the piano and the cembalo. Hakkila is well known as an enthusiastic and highly regarded performer of new music and she has premiered numerous Finnish and foreign works. Hakkila has also gained a reputation as a master fortepiano player. In autumn 2005, she graduated as a Doctor of Music from the Sibelius Academy, performing the fortepiano sonatas of Mozart for her artistic work.

Her programme on 17 August, "Sunday afternoon" includes:
MOZART Prelude in C major, K.284a (c.1774)
MOZART Rondo in F major, K.494 (1786)
FREDRIK LITHANDER Variations on a Theme by Haydn in A major (1799)

Baritone Petteri Salomaa visiting professor at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm

The opera singer Petteri Salomaa, Doctor of Music and Professor of Vocal Music at the Sibelius Academy, has been invited to the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm (Kungliga Musikhögskolan) as a visiting vocal professor for the academic year 2008 – 2009.

In Sweden, Salomaa’s successful international career has been recognised through his performances at Drottningholms Slottsteater and his work as a soloist in productions conducted by the legendary Swedish choir leader Eric Ericson. Salomaa, who of all the foreign visiting artists is the vocal soloist to have performed most frequently at Drottningholm, has also been involved in numerous of the theatre’s recordings and video recordings which have received international awards. In recognition of his achievements at the Drottningholms Slottsteater, the Swedish royal family awarded him a medal of honour from the Friends of Drottingholms Slottsteater in 2000.
During his term as Professor at the Sibelius Academy, Salomaa’s international elected positions in Sweden have included participating in the Evaluation Committee for the evaluation of performing arts higher education in Sweden carried out by the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (2007) and acting as Chairman of the jury for the highly respected Solistpriset competition (2008).

Prior to Salomaa’s invitation to Stockholm, he undertook a successful teaching trip to the Royal Academy of Music. His predecessor as Vocal Professor at the Royal Academy has been the renowned Swedish baritone Håkan Hagegård.

Saariaho U.S. premieres in Santa Fe and New York

FIMIC: The music of Kaija Saariaho will be widely heard in the United States this summer. Saariaho's second opera 'Adriana Mater' will get its U.S. premiere on July 26, 2008, at the Santa Fe opera.

In August, Saariaho is featured as the composer-in-residence of the Mostly Mozart festival in Lincoln Center, New York. The festival programme includes for example the U.S. premiere of the oratorio 'La Passion de Simone' on August 13, as well as Saariaho's cello concerto 'Notes on Light' (Aug 14) and the string quartet 'Terra Memoria' (Aug 21).

Saariaho has recently won the 2008 Nemmers Prize in Music Composition. She has also been selected as the Composer of the Year 2008 by Musical America. Read more: www.fimic.fi

Mostly Mozart Festival:

Aug 15, New York, USA
Kaija Saariaho: Sept Papillons (for cello)
Kaija Saariaho: Prelude (for piano)
Kaija Saariaho: Ballade (for piano)
Kaija Saariaho: Serenatas, for percussion, cello, and piano (New York Premiere)
Anssi Karttunen, cello, Tuija Hakkila, piano, David Cossin, percussion

Olli Mustonen & Petteri Salomaa gives recital in Armenia

13 June, 2008
Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall
Rodion Shchedrin: "My age my wild beast"

Perspectives XXI International Music Festival was established in 2000 by Armenian Music Information Center NGO. Credo of Perspectives XXI Festival is to create the highest criteria in music life and to develop Armenia into the powerful cultural center of international importance.

Perspectives XXI unites in Yerevan, the capital of the Armenian Republic star performers of our time- soloists, ensembles, orchestras, conductors and composers. Scale of the Festival activity is large and extends to the master classes of the visiting artists, musicologist conferences, commissioning projects to composers, composition competition for students, along with high class concert series. Program also presents Armenian and world premieres of composers, accompanied by their invitation to the Festival. Visits of world first class musicians to the Festival greatly enriches the cultural life of our country, at the same time helping them to explore Armenia, its past and present cultural potential.

Armenia is one of the most ancient countries of the world with richest culture and heritage. After 70 years of Soviet governance, it gained the independence 17 years ago. The Festival Perspectives XXI became very much involved in restoration and further development of music life of the country.

The Festival adopted new concert series, featuring leading composers of the XXth century that started in April 2008 by Krzysztof Penderecki Music Days week in Yerevan with participation of maestro, his wife Elzbieta Penderecki and other celebrated musicians from all over the world. Another project Rodion Shchedrin Days is one week concerts to be performed by internationally known musicians in presence of Rodion Shchedrin and his spouse Maya Plisetskaya.

Soprano Susanne Rydén at the Internationale Händel-Festspiele Göttingen

Swedish baroque soprano Susanne Rydén will be heard at the Internationale Händel-Festspiele Göttingen, Germany. She will appear in the role of Dorinda in the Orlando opera by G.F. Händel. The premiere will be on 2 May 2008. She will also give a recital concert with cembalist Mark Tatlow on Sunday 11 May 2008.

Arctic Paradise LIVE 2008 brings world music professionals to Finland

* 12 April 2008 at 7:00pm at Sellosali (Espoo) Las Chicas del Tango.
JuuRiJuhla - RotFest Festival.

FIMIC: Finnish contemporary folk music is showcased for international professionals on April 10-13 in Helsinki and Espoo. Titled Arctic Paradise LIVE, the showcase weekend takes place now for the second time. Altogether 22 invitees, including top class producers of different festivals and venues as well as journalists and editors, arrive to Finland from all over Europe, the US, Canada and Japan.

A tailored programme will include, for instance, a dozen of concerts by leading Finnish acts, a mini expo together with Finnish professionals and meetings with the artist representatives. The showcase aims to increase international performances and awareness of Finnish folk and world music. Similar promotional events on Finnish jazz music have been organised in three previous years - with encouraging results.

This year, Arctic Paradise LIVE has a partly common concert programme with JuuriJuhla Festival, which is open to the public. The showcase programme will also feature a special concert at Tavastia Club with Backstage Alliance and Rockadillo Production as cooperating companies.

Arctic Paradise LIVE is coordinated by Finnish Music Information Centre (Fimic) and co-organised with the Sibelius Academy, the Finnish Folk Music Association, the Finnish Kantele Association, and Global Music Centre.

Mezzosoprano Tiina-Maija Koskela won the Lappeenranta Singing Competition 2008

The Lappeenranta Singing Competition is a national singing competition for young singers in Finland. It is held every second year and there are two categories, for women and men. This year there was only one winner, mezzosoprano Tiina-Maija Koskela. Ms Koskela was awarded the first prize (8.500 euros) in the women's category. There was no winner in the men's category. The second prize was awarded for bass Timo Riihonen (5.500 euros) and the third prize for baritone Jussi Ziegler (3.500 euros).

In the women's category there were two second prizes (5.500 euros), for soprano Mia Heikkinen and mezzosoprano Jeni Packalén. Soprano Jenni Lättilä was awarded the third prize (3.500 euros).

LISTEN to the candidates for the semifinal by YLE Radio1 Arena.

New Releases 2007 by Festium artists:

September, 2007, Jouni Järvelä Group, "A Grand day out (live)" by Jouni Järvelä. www.jounijarvela.com or MySpace.

19 July 2007, Timo Alakotila & Johanna Juhola, "Vapaassa tilassa", by Texicalli Recodrs. MySpace.

25 May 2007, Johanna Juhola & Milla Viljamaa, "Mi Retorno", by Texicalli Records. New Finnish concert tango. MySpace.

23 May 2007, Mikko Innanen & Innkvisitio, "Paa-Da-Pap", by TUM Records. Touring in Scandinavian and Europe with Fredrik Ljungqvist. MySpace.
- Mikko Innanen groups heading out for tour, read more FIMIC News.

UMO Jazz Orchestra has moved to new location

UMO Jazz Orchestra has moved to a new location, Katajanokanlaituri 5, in the harbour area of Helsinki. In the new address you will find the office, as well as the rehearsal room and archive for notes. During February, UMO will have a winter-leave, but they will spend the time carefully by planning their next Album. - Check out also UMO's new MySpace and the video of the Agatha by Kerkko Koskinen. The Agatha is one of the nominees for Jazz Emma 2007. Trumpetist Verneri Pohjola plays solo.

Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola nominees for Etno-Emma

"Mi Retorno" is a second CD by Duo Pianist Milla Viljamaa and accordionist Johanna Juhola. Texicalli Records released Mi Retorno on May 2007. Mi Retorno is one of the nominees for Etno-Emma for the year 2007. Check all nominees www.emmagaala.fi

Emma-Prizes have been awarded since 1983 by Suomen Ääni- ja kuvatallennetuottajat ÄKT ry, IFPI Finland - The Finnish National Group of IFPI. IFPI is the international trade Association Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

The Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE will broadcast the Emma-Gala on live on YLE TV2 and YleX radio channel.

Soprano Helena Juntunen as Mimi

Soprano Helena Juntunen debuts as Mimi at the Finnish National Opera with conductor Pietro Rizzo. She will have only three performances, due to her fully-booked calendar. Her breakthrough role over the Europe by far has been Pamina in Mozart's Magic Flute. Ms Juntunen will be heard as Pamina next in Helsinki, during March-April 2008.

Ilmiliekki Quartet's Take it with me among the 50 best albums by Observer Music Monthly

Ilmiliekki Quartet's second album "Take it with me" has found its way to the list of the 50 best album of the year 2007 by Observer Music Monthly.

Congratulations!

Lotta Wennäkoski's modern work on Television, YLE Teema

TV YLE Teema: "Naisen rakkautta ja elämää" by composer Lotta Wennäkoski. Saturday 19 January 2008 at 1:35pm.

A modern work by Lotta Wennäkoski challenges Robert Schumann's masterpiece for a dialogue about women's love and life. The work "Naisen rakkautta ja elämää" has been recorded at the Aleksanteri Theatre in Helsinki as a part of the Helsinki Festival 2003. The soloists are coloratura soprano Piia Komsi, soprano Tanja Kauppinen-Savijoki and mezzosoprano Riikka Rantanen. Avanti! Chamber Orchestra (incl. pianist Tuija Hakkila and flautist Mikael Helasvuo), cond. Pietari Inkinen.

A gift for José Saramago on Television, YLE K-Reppu

A document of José Saramago's 85th anniversary in November 2007 in Madrid.

Tuesday 29 January, 2008 at 7:00pm.
Wednesday 30 January, 2008 at 11.05pm.

Coloratura soprano Sirkka Lampimäki, cembalist Elina Mustonen and stage director Lisbeth Landefort. Music by Domenico Scarlatti, text by José Saramago: "Baltasar and Blimunda" (1982).

The recipients of Teosto Prize: Kortekangas, Jaakonaho, and Tervomaa

FIMIC News: "The Teosto Prize, worth 40,000 euros and admitted to outstanding musical works, has been awarded at Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, on November 28. The two winning works among seven candidates were the music and lyrics of Jonna Tervomaa and the music of Jussi Jaakonaho on Tervomaa's album 'Parempi loppu' as well as the music of Olli Kortekangas on his opera 'Isän tyttö' (Daddy's Girl). Kortekangas's share of the prize was 20,000 €, while Tervomaa and Jaakonaho received 10,000 € respectively.

Granted by the Finnish Composers' Copyright Society Teosto, the prize aims to promote Finnish music by bringing up courageous, original and innovative works. Every year the prize is given to 1-3 musical works.

This year, the unanimous selection was made by the jury consisting of composers Esa Nieminen (chair), Janne Haavisto, and finally Kimmo Hakola, who is also one of the recipients of 2003 Teosto Prize.

The jury characterized 'Isän tyttö' of Kortekangas as a work wherein the subtle orchestration and vocal expression support eloquently the multi-level story of the opera. 'Parempi loppu' of Tervomaa and Jaakonaho is, according to the jury, a stylish and musical whole, which adds fresh ideas to the traditions of rock music." Read more: www.fimic.fi

Sibelius & Beyond Festival in London

Wednesday 28 November at 7.30pm, St. George's Hanover Square, Tapio Tuomela: Pilke, saxophonist Joonatan Rautiola and pianist Marko Hilpo

Sibelius & Beyond is a major festival of Finnish music taking place in London's finest concert venues from 12 September - 5 December 2007.

Seppo Kimanen, Artistic Director: "During his own lifetime, Jean Sibelius made an international breakthrough in the UK, and still has many kindred spirits in this country. The Sibelius & Beyond festival starts with Sibelius’ music and continues through that of his contemporaries and onto living Finnish composers. One of the aims of this festival is to put an end to the misconception that all Finland has is Sibelius – there is actually a vibrant and varied contemporary musical scene enjoying unparalleled popularity.

The natural reason for organising Sibelius & Beyond was to commemorate 50 years from Sibelius’ death. In addition to the performances there is a lecture series illustrating Sibelius as composer of chamber music. All of Sibelius’ symphonies, the Violin Concerto and much else will be performed." Read more.

Soprano Sirkka Lampimäki debuted in the National Theatre of Estonia

Soprano Sirkka Lampimäki debuted in Rahvusooper Estonia on 26 November 2007 in the role of Gilda in Verdi's Rigoletto. The performance was conducted by Jüri Alperten. The next performance of soprano Lampimäki will be on 20 December 2007.

Seven works nominated for the Teosto Prize 2007

FIMIC: "Seven works have been nominated for the fifth Teosto Prize, the biggest music award in Finland. The Teosto Prize of 40 000 euros is granted by the Composers' Copyright Society Teosto, and it will be given out on November 28, 2007. The preliminary panel, led by musician Pekka Nissilä, has chosen the following candidates for the Prize:

Compositions by Jori Sjöroos and lyrics by Paula Vesala and Mira Luoti on the album 'Leskiäidin tyttäret' by PMMP. Fourth Symphony by Eero Hämeenniemi.
'Viekkaan Veisu' and 'Tiia' by Pekka Pohjola. Lyrics and compositions by Jonna Tervomaa and compositions by Jussi Jaakonaho on Jonna Tervomaa's album 'Parempi loppu'. Compositions and arrangements in the big band work 'Agatha' by Kerkko Koskinen. Compositions by Mikko Kuustonen and Esa Kaartamo, and lyrics by Mikko Kuustonen on his album 'Hietaniemi'. Music by Olli Kortekangas in the opera 'Isän tyttö' ('Daddy's Girl').

The Teosto Prize will be awarded now for the fifth time, for courageous, original and innovative musical works. The prize is not bound to any musical genre or style, and it can be given to 1-3 works." Read more: Fimic news.

The International Sibelius Singing Competition 2007

The International Sibelius Singing Competition (24th - 27th October, 2007) is being arranged by the Järvenpää Sibelius Festival, the Sibelius Academy and the City of Järvenpää. The competition is open to female and male citizens of, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden born in or after 1972. The competition proper will consist of a Preliminary Round and Semi-finals with piano accompaniment and Finals with orchestral accompaniment.

Johanna Juhola in Canada and Germany

Accordionist Johanna Juhola will be heard in Ottawa and Toronto together with violinist Pekka Kuusisto on 2nd - 3rd November 2007. Duo Kraft represents one of the Johanna Juhola's latest ensembles.

On 5 November 2007, she will perform with pianist Milla Viljamaa in Kiel, Germany. Duo Milla Viljamaa & Johanna Juhola released their second CD "Mi Retorno" by Texicalli Records in May 2007. Read more & listen.

Leading Finnish duo to make autumn New York debut

NEW YORK CITY, August 21 ------- The distinguished Duo Mikael Helasvuo and Tuija Hakkila will perform their American Debut on Wednesday, October 17th, 8:00 PM, in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York City.

The recital is being presented by the Finlandia Foundation New York Chapter Artist Debut Series in association with the Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, Finland. The Duo will be heard in a program for flute and piano including music by Jean Sibelius, Kaija Saariaho, Carl Reinecke, Lotta Wennäkoski and Sergei Prokofiev. This performance is part of the gala 30th Anniversary celebration of the Artist Debut Series, founded in 1977, providing Finland’s finest instrumentalists and ensembles with the opportunity for a New York City concert or recital.

Tickets for the Duo Mikael Helasvuo and Tuija Hakkila American Debut performance go on-sale at the Carnegie Hall box office on Saturday, September 1st.

Kölner Philharmonie focuses on Finland

FIMIC: "The Kölner Philharmonie concert hall in Cologne, Germany, focuses on Finland in its program for the season 2007/2008. The concert series called "Fokus Finnland" introduces several Finnish composers and musicians. In particular, the music of Kaija Saariaho and Magnus Lindberg will be frequently heard in Cologne during the season.

The season starts with an open house event on August 26, 2007, where 'NoaNoa' by Kaija Saariaho gets to represent the season's focus on Finland. Saariaho's music will also launch the "Fokus Finnland" concert series on September 7, 2007, as her new string quartet 'Terra Memoria' will be played by Emerson String Quartet. During the following week, works by Magnus Lindberg and Esa-Pekka Salonen, as well as Finnish tangos and films by Aki Kaurismäki, will be presented in four events." Read more & calender: Fimic News.

Among others:

Sunday 9 September at 8.00pm, Esa-Pekka Salonen: Five Images after Sappho, Avanti! Orchestra, cond. Magnus Lindberg, soprano Helena Juntunen etc.

Two operas by Seppo Pohjola in Turku and Helsinki

FIMIC: "Two recent chamber operas by Seppo Pohjola (b. 1965) will be staged both at Turku Music Festival and at Helsinki Festival in August 2007. 'Kaappi' (Closet, 2004) was commissioned and first performed by Ooppera Skaala in 2004. 'Rakkaimpani' (My Dearest One, 2005), however, will have its world premiere in Turku on August 18, 2007.

The two operas explore the issues of love and marriage by means of drama and comedy. As 'Rakkaimpani' describes the feelings of Pohjola's grandparents in the heat of war, using their own letters as the text of the opera, 'Kaappi' is a brisk comedy about the sexual fantasies of a married couple returning from a holiday together." Read more Fimic News.

Saturday 18 August, Turku Music Festival, Chamber operas "Kaappi" and "Rakkaimpani" (wp), cond. Tuomas Rousi

25 & 26 August, Helsinki Festival, Two Chamber operas about love, cond. Tuomas Rousi

Lahti Symphony with Vänskä at BBC Proms in London on 15 August 2007

LAHTI SYMPHONY: The Lahti Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Chief Conductor Osmo Vänskä, will perform at the BBC Proms concert series on 15 August 2007. In the concert at the Royal Albert Hall will be performed The Tempest by Sibelius, incidental music to Shakespeare’s play. The work as the complete score will now be heard first time ever in Britain. The soloists are mezzo-soprano Lilli Paasikivi (Ariel), soprano Helena Juntunen (Juno), tenor Juha Hostikka (Stephano), baritone Ville Rusanen (Caliban) and tenor Petri Lehto (Trinculo), and the choir is Dominante. In the concert programme there are also Sibelius’s Symphony No. 7 and orchestral songs with Juntunen and Paasikivi as the soloists. BBC will broadcast the concert LIVE on radio 3.

Reviews: The Times : Telegraph : Guardian

FIMIC: 'Daddy's Girl' tells a story of a changing Finnish society

"A new opera by Olli Kortekangas, 'Daddy's Girl' (Isän tyttö), will be premiered at the Savonlinna Opera Festival on July 7, 2007. The opera has been commissioned by the Finnish Parliament and Savonlinna Opera Festival to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Finland.

'Daddy's Girl' mirrors the lives of ordinary Finnish people to the social and political changes in the recent Finnish history. The story is told through three generations of women: Anna, born in the 1940's, Anna's mother Siiri and daughter Vera. Their individual choices, emotions and events in life are linked to the values and ideologies of a changing Finnish society. The events are set mainly in summer 1997.

'Daddy's Girl' is the fifth opera by Olli Kortekangas. His previous operas, 'Grand Hotel' (1985), 'The Book of Jonah' (1995), 'Maria's Love' (1999) and 'Messenius and Lucia' (2004) have already established him as one of the leading composers of opera music in Finland. A deep interest in the human voice has also lead Kortekangas to compose a noticeable amount of other vocal and choral music.

The libretto of 'Daddy's Girl' has been written by Michael Baran and Olli Kortekangas. The music will be conducted by Markus Lehtinen, and the main roles will be sung by Monica Groop, Päivi Nisula, Tommi Hakala, Juha Kotilainen and Ilona Jokinen." Source: Fimic News

Piia Komsi as Cat in "Alice in Wonderland" by Unsuk Chin

Munich Opera Festival 2007
World Première on Saturday, 30 June 2007
Nationaltheater

"World première and triumph of fantasy! The initially conventional Alice follows her dreams. There she meets a white rabbit with a waistcoat and a pocket watch, who guides her through Wonderland. Alice views it all with amazement and learns – finally returning to the real world richer for the experience. The moral of the tale: we should all follow more white rabbits.
Korean composer Unsuk Chin wrote this opera based on the eponymous novel by Lewis Carroll. Alice in Wonderland: modern music that pleases the ear. Modern opera – seductive, enchanting, sensuous – and anything but hyper-intellectual. Kent Nagano conducts. The fairy-tale setings and production are in the hands of Achim Freyer. Only white rabbits guide us better through Wonderland." Read more & coloratura soprano Piia Komsi.

The Opera Critic, Raphael Mostel: "Piia Komsi triumphed in the punishingly extreme role of the Cat." Unsuk Chin: Alice in Wonderland, Bavarian State Opera, Munich, 30 June 2007. Read review.

FIMIC: Time of Music celebrates 25th anniversary

Time of Music, one of the oldest contemporary music festivals in Finland, celebrates its 25th anniversary this summer. The program of the anniversary year includes a jubilee composition by Sampo Haapamäki, commissioned by the festival, as well as other premieres, Finnish premieres and some older classics.

The guest composers of the festival are Jukka Tiensuu, one of the founders of Time of Music, and George Aperghis, a Greek born composer specialized in new musical theatre. Tiensuu and Aperghis will be holding a composition workshop during the festival. Tiensuu will be featured at the festival as a pianist as well as a composer.

Diotima Quartet will premiere a new work by Sampo Haapamäki entitled 'Connection' on July 6, 2007. The festival also features the world premiere of 'Crimes of the Past' by Olli Virtaperko. 'String Quartet' by Juha T. Koskinen and 'Pilke 1' by Tapio Tuomela will have their first performances in Finland during the festival.

Time of Music takes place in Viitasaari, Finland, from July 3 to July 8, 2007.

Jul 6, Viitasaari (Finland)
Olli Virtaperko: Crimes of the Past (world premiere)
Tapio Tuomela: Pilke 1 (2005, first performance in Finland)
Joonatan Rautiola, saxophone, Marko Hilpo, piano

FIMIC: lmiliekki Quartet and The Five Corners Quintet to play Rochester and other gigs in the USA

"Ilmiliekki Quartet and The Five Corners Quintet will give concerts on the US East Coast on June 11 - 15. As the highlight of the trip both groups will perform at Rochester International Jazz Festival, NY. The visit also encompasses appearances in Washington, DC (House of Sweden, Ilmiliekki) and Manhattan (Lincoln Center, TFCQ).

What the groups have in common is that they both are among Finland's most travelled jazz combos and feature mainly young musicians. Stylistically, however, they are different. Ilmiliekki Quartet counts on strong melodies and slow tempos, whereas The Five Corners Quintet emphasizes groove and faster pace.

Ilmiliekki has previously performed in the USA in last October. The appeared on the 'Scandinavian Innovations' concert series that was dedicated to present new music in Lincoln Center.

Prior to their forthcoming crossing of the Atlantic, Ilmiliekki will perform in Ireland, Slovakia and Hungary on April 28 - May 1. The tour includes festival dates in Dublin and Györ as well as a TV live performance in Bratislava. Aside from these, Hungarian group Kaltenecker Trio has invited Ilmiliekki's trumpetist Verneri Pohjola to feature as a guest soloist on their Budapest gig." Source: Fimic - News

Helena Juntunen in BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2007

Soprano Helena Juntunen represents Finland in the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2007 Competition. "The final 25 singers have been selected from more than 1,000 who applied to take part. A record 677 singers from 64 counties took part in auditions held in 44 locations worldwide. The competition is open to singers aged 18-36 on 1 June 2007, at the start of their careers. They have to demonstrate high levels of vocal talent, musicianship and communication skills." Read more. Programme.

- Send your supporting message for Helena...

Julia Mustonen in Maj Lind Piano Competition

Julia Mustonen is one of 51 competititors in the Helsinki International Maj Lind Piano Competition, arranged by Sibelius Academy on 24 May - 7 June 2007. Read more.

30 May 2007, Helsingin Sanomat: Julia Mustonen is among 14 semifinalists.

Other semifinalists are, from Finland: Sonja Fräki, Roope Gröndahl, Marko Mustonen, Uki Ovaskainen and Maija Väisänen, and from other countries: Sofya Gulyak, Yoonjung Han, Yurino Izumi, Violetta Khachikian, Maria Mazo, Yoon-Soo Rhee, Xiaofeng Wu ja Irina Zahharenkova.

Semifinal will be held on Thursday and Friday, 31 May – 1 June, 2007, Sibelius Academy, concert hall, Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 9, Helsinki.

9 June 2007, Sonfya Gulyak won the Maj Lind Competition.

Jazz Convention presents Verneri Pohjola and Ilmiliekki Quartet

In co-operation with FIMIC, Jazz Convention, Italian jazz-oriented website, has started, at the end of august 2005, a series of reviews of finnish cd's and interviews with the relative musicians. On December 2006: the interview with Iro Haarla and the review to Northbound. On February 2007: Verneri Pohjola and Ilmiliekki Quartet's latest album "Take it with me".

Read also the latest review in Observer Music Monthly by Stuart Nicholson and All About Jazz by Mark F. Turner

Star soprano Helena Juntunen busy with world premieres

In 2007 soprano Helena Juntunen will premiere three modern music pieces: On 26 January 2007, "Mysterious Dreams" by Mikko Nisula with Tapiola Sinfonietta, 11 March 2007, "The Ladies room" by Perttu Haapanen with Avanti! Orchestra and 15 July 2007 at the Savonlinna Opera Festival "Judith song" by Kyösti Haatanen. It is a 40th Anniversary concert of Savonlinna Opera Festival.

Turku Jazz, March 8 - 11, 2007

Turku Jazz 2007 concentrates on vocal music: Johanna Iivanainen, Emma Salokoski & Jenny Robson among others. International quests includes Jim Campilongo, Ed Jones and Bill Öhrström. Mr Fonebone will release its new album "Hit and Run" on 9 March 2007 at 9.15pm at Radisson SAS Marina Palace. At the same concert, UMO Jazz Orchestra featuring Aija Puurtinen.

Musica Nova - Focus Finlandia in Helsinki, March 10-17, 2007

"Focus Finlandia offers a varied menu of the tastiest contemporary music from new opera to jazz and choral concerts, from chamber music to electro-acoustic experiments and club ambiences. Among the numerous premieres will be the flute concerto L’or d’Azur by Kimmo Hakola, the Concerto for Orchestra by Jukka Tiensuu and the fourth symphony by Eero Hämeenniemi. The cello concerto Notes on Light by Kaija Saariaho will receive its first performance in Europe.

The Helsinki Skaala Opera will be premiering the first Baroque opera, Fitness, ever to be written by a Finnish composer. Making its debut at the Finnish National Opera will be Aulis Sallinen’s modern classic The Red Line with a star all-Finnish production crew and cast.

Highlights will include a modern dance work, Kwaidan, choreographed to the music of this name by Pehr Henrik Nordgren, and Focus concerts featuring Perttu Haapanen, Paavo Heininen, Matthew Whittall and Lauri Kilpiö." Read more.

Oulu Music Festival, March 10-19, 2007

"Oulu Music Festival is a high standard city festival with leading performers from Finland and abroad. One high point of the programme will be a production of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana bringing over 300 performers onto the stage at Madetoja Hall. The Artistic Director of the Festival is the pianist Mika Rännäli." Oulu Music Festival is a part of Finland Festivals.

Let the Church Sound -festival in Helsinki, March 17-25, 2007

The programme of this year concentrates on baroque music by Dietrich Buxtehude. Countertenor Teppo Lampela among soloists in the opening concert on 18 March, at 6.00pm with Helsinki Baroque Orchestra, cond. Aapo Häkkinen.

New releases

Tuomo: "My Thing" (Jupiter/Texicalli) - Pianist Tuomo Prättälä, well known from groups Ilmiliekki Quartet, Quintessence, Q-Continuum among others, has released his first solo-album as a soul/funk singer. Five star critique - visit Tuomo's My Space.

Pianist Laura Mikkola - Philippe Entremont: Chostakovich á 2 pianos by Cascavelle Records. Reviews from releasing concerts in Paris: Le Journal ResMusica.com & ResMusica.com

Guitarist Juuso Nieminen - Guitar Recital by Terravox

Ilmiliekki Quartet - "Take it with me" by TUM Records Visit Verneri Pohjola's My Space and listen "Karhu" from Take it with me (TUM CD 020).

Jukka Perko - Retrospective by EMI Blue Note

TUMfest 07 - New Music!

TUMfest 07 will be held at the Savoy Theatre, Helsinki on 26 January to 28 January 2007. Internationally renowned improvision artists includes Wadada Leo Smith with his Mbira Trio, FAB Trio: Billy Bang, Joe Fonda & Barry Altschul, and Mats Gustafsson. Check-up also K-18 (Kalima, Innanen, Kujala & Hauta-aho), Ilmiliekki Quartet and UMO Jazz Orchestra featuring Juhani Aaltonen, Iro Haarla and Raoul Björkenheim (new album release). The Festival is a co-production with TUM Records Oy and Savoy Theatre - City of Helsinki.

Baritone Petteri Salomaa and pianist Ilmo Ranta at Tonhalle

Baritone Petteri Salomaa will substitute for mezzosopraano Monica Groop in a recital concert with pianist Ilmo Ranta on Tuesday 19, December 2006 at 19:30 Kleiner Saal, Tonhalle, Zürich. The programme consists of mixture of the most popular Finnish art songs. Pianist Ilmo Ranta has participated in editing the new critical edition of Sibelius’ songs. Salomaa and Ranta have worked together over 25 years.

Tuija Hakkila and Jaakko Kortekangas as soloist in FRSO's Friday Series

Pianist Tuija Hakkila performs W.A. Mozart's piano concerto No. 22 KV 482 with Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra on Friday 10 November 2006 at 7:00pm in Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki. FRSO is conducted by Sakari Oramo.

On Friday 24 November, The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra celebrates the 50th Anniversary of composer Jouni Kaipainen. The Program includes pieces Felicity & Fullnesse and Bassoon Concerto by Kaipainen. The soloists are baritone Jaakko Kortekangas and bassoon player Otto Virtanen. The FRSO is conducted by Hannu Lintu. Concerts by Finnish Radio Symphony orchestra can be heard both on the radio (YLE 1) and the internet.

The Machinery Requiem TV1 4.11.2006 klo 14:25 - 15:10

Michael Haydn's Requiem (1771) as a TV adaptation. Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Helsinki Chamber Choir, conductor Andres Mustonen, soloists Anu Komsi, soprano, Wivan Fagerudd, alto, Topi Lehtipuu, tenor and Petteri Salomaa, bass. Producer Hannu Kamppila.

The fame of Michael Haydn's Requiem pro defuncto Archiepiscopo Sigismundo build's strongly on that (assumed) fact, that even W.A.Mozart with his father were among the performers at the occasion of the first performance, and Haydn's Requiem thus enjoys the reputation as an example for Mozart's far better known own Requiem.
Haydn's original magnum opus though earns its fame by its own merits, as can be heard in this TV adaption produced by Finnish Broadcast Company Yleisradio. The performers include much appreciated finnish performers and an estonian conductor with a strong name as a first class old music specialist. The adaptation was filmed October 26 & 27 2006 in the highly specific setting of the old National Railway Machinery Hall in Pasila, Helsinki, and will also be later shown on the european ARTE TV-channel as well.

Tampere Jazz Happening 2. - 5.11.2006