A grant from Finnis Cultural Foundation
I have been given a grant from the Finnish Cultural Foundation for buying a baroque violin and bow. The timing couldn’t have been better, as I am just at the moment hosting as a member of the class of historical string instruments of Susanne Scholz in Graz University of Performing arts, a symposium about Jacob Stainer, and reproduction of six replicas made after a model from the year 1668, that is considered to be one of the best and most probably in original baroque form survived violin of Stainer’s. Learning to know and being able to play these instruments of well known luthiers, who come from three different countries and are specialised in historic instruments, is a privilege, and extremely pleasant. Also meeting in person the violin makers, being able to make questions, and hearing the lectures and conversations has been most interesting. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful… times.
Mozart at the Sibelius Academy
On Saturday the 26th of October, there will be a public examination of the doctoral thesis of violist Markus Sarantola at the Sibelius Academy, and I have a great pleasure to be playing the Divertimento KV 563 with Markus and cellist Jussi Seppälä in this occasion. Markus has been doing research about performance practice of earlier music in symphony orchestras.
The examination is open for public, and will take place at the Wegelius hall of Sibelius Academy at 17:00.
August in Lappeenranta
In August I was working again as a first concertmaster of the Lappeenranta City Orchestra.
After the traditional season opening in Lappeenranta, we made a concert trip to Vyborg, Russia. Our soloist, soprano Angelika Klas, and our chief conductor, Vytautas Lukočius did a wonderful job, and the public was visibly satisfied.
In the last week of August was organized a Meditation concert, which I was leading without conductor. We had a great success: The about 700 places of the Lappeenranta city hall were full, and the atmosphere was incredible as this amount of people were silently meditating with the peaceful music.
Belvedere singing competition
The year that started wonderfully with Lappeenranta singing competition in Finland, keeps on bringing more singing competitions: 7.7.2019 I will be playing with the Kärntner Sinfonieorchester in the final concert of the international Belvedere singing competition. I warmly recommend listening the concert either at the congress center of Villach (Austria), or streamed in internet starting at 20:00: There are amazing young singers from all around the world.
More information and links at the webpage of the Belvedere singing competition.
Collegium Carinthia
Collegium Carinthia is a chamber orchestra, founded by professor Klaus Kuchling in 2018. I have been working as the second concertmaister of the orchestra, and 23. – 26.6. we had six concerts with title “Mozart trifft Pärt” around the southern Austria.
You can find more information about the orchestra and this program at the webpage of the Collegium Carinthia.
Bononcini in Graz
I enjoy playing the baroque violin in a great company and excellent atmosphere as the Opera of Graz and the Institut of early music and performance practice of the Graz Music University perform together a rare oratorium of Bononcini. 23.-29.5.2019, Herz Jesu Kirche, Graz.
Chamber opera
The 12th of March we had a new performance of the chamber opera by composer Sampsa Ertamo, ‘Yllätä ikuinen virta’.
The Odysseus string quartet enjoyed a lot performing with the great group at the Verkatehdas of Hämeenlinna.
Happy New Year 2019 with Strauss and opera
I had a great pleasure to start this year in Austria, playing a New Year’s Concert with waltzes and polkas by the Strauss dynasty. The Kärntner Sinfonieorchester was conducted by Daniele Rustioni and the sparkling violin soloist was Fracesca Dego.
Just a few days later, it was the time of the orchestra finale of the Lappeenranta singing competition, that has the 50th anniversary this year. I’m proud of having been the concert master of the Saimaa Sinfonietta in this project. Conuducted by Vytautas Lukočius we accompanied 9 wonderful young singers, and played also Lohengrin-Ouverture by Wagner and a premiered a piece “Satumetsä”, “Enchanted forest” by a Finnish composer Harri Vuori.
The whole final was broadcasted by the Finnish national tv- and radio-company YLE, and can be found live stramed under this link.
Once more congratulations to all the finalists, and especially to the first price winners Virve Puumala and Jussi Vänttinen!
Schubert and Atterberg
On Tuesday the 30th of October I’m going to collaborate once again with the Hämeenlinna City Orchestra. This time the violist Ivan Podyachev is going to join us for the Suite of Atterberg for violin, viola and string orchestra. I will play also the solo violin in the Rondo of Schubert. In addition to that the orchestra conducted by Lauri Haapanen performs pieces by Elgar and Wirén. The concert starts at 19:00 at the beautiful Raatihuone of Hämeenlinna.
Concert at Wäinö Aaltonen museum in Turku
On Tuesday the 28th of August the wonderful pianist Valeria Resjan is going to join me to perform the Debussy violin sonata and Beethoven “Kreuzer” sonata at Wäinö Aaltonen museum in Turku. In addition to that I will play a solo violin “Assaggio” by a Swedish composer of baroque era, J. H. Roman.
The concert starts at 19:00 and there is free entrance. Programs 5 / 2,5€. More information at the webpage of the museum. Welcome!