The autumn programme for Sinfonia Finlandia Jyväskylä contains memorable moments

During the autumn Sinfonia Finlandia Jyväskylä celebrates two significant composers: the 200th anniversary of Frédéric Chopin and, during the Finnish music week in December, Jean Sibelius, who composed the cheerful Humoresques will be performed by the virtuoso Alina Pogostkina, the winner of the International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition 2005.

The season’s opening will definitely fulfil the dreams of many, as the autumn air resounds with Antonin Dvořák’s beautiful Cello Concerto, the most beloved of its kind, and Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 2 that has never been heard in Jyväskylä before. The symphonies of Felix Mendelssohn call to mind the scents of Scotland and images of Italy, whereas the concert in September, in turn, delights the audience with vocal and orchestral pieces by French composers.

One should not miss hearing the monumental Piano concerto No. 2 by Johannes Brahms and Modest Mussorgsky’s masterful suite Pictures at an Exhibition – both a rare treat around here.

On the more modern side the programme presents a piece premiered in 2008: Hava is written by Lotta Wennäkoski, one of the most interesting contemporary Finnish composers.

Memorable moments and superb soloists

A long-standing cello artist and professor of cello at the Sibelius Academy Martti Rousi has the honour of opening the concert season, followed by the Swedish couple, conductor Mika and soprano Agneta Eichenholz. Janne Mertanen, renowned for his masterly account of Chopin, is not the only guest pianist of the autumn, as Henri Sigfridsson, who has reaped success in several international competitions, will make his first visit to Jyväskylä. Also yet another Finn rising to world fame, Jouko Harjanne, will showcase his skills in October by playing Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto.

A splendid pair of siblings, Johanna Rusanen-Kartano and Ville Rusanen, will appear as soloists for the concert on All Saints’ Day. From within the orchestra’s own ranks, it is the turn of bassoonist Sanna Hihnala to step into the limelight. Finally, one of the most sought-after Asian conductors at the moment, Young Chil Lee, will arrive in Jyväskylä to conduct the Chopin concert in November.

A recording concert, jazz, horror music and an evening of chamber music

Prior to the actual start of the autumn concert season, Sinfonia Finlandia Jyväskylä will perform for the first time in the newly built Kuokkala Church, finished in February. During the summer, a young talented Chinese violinist Tianwa Yang will join forces with the orchestra to record both of Mendelssohn’s beautiful violin concertos, one of which will be heard in the concert at the end of August.

In October Tessa Virta, a musician who hails from Jyväskylä, will give a compositional concert, performing quite individual symphonic jazz together with her own musicians and the orchestra. Another departure from traditional evenings is a thrilling theme concert containing music from horror and thriller movies. At a chamber concert in Aalto-Sali the orchestra, lead by a cembalo, will play a fascinating medley transporting the audience from one atmosphere to another, from Mozart to modern-day Philip Glass.

For all details concerning Jyväskylä Sinfonias seasons concerts and programme descriptions:
http://www.jyvaskylasinfonia.fi/english/concerts

8.6.2010 Mari Itäranta