Dima Slobodeniouk conducts a program that is entirely dedicated to Nordic dream images and winter landscapes: For large parts, Einojuhani Rautavaara's Piano Concerto No. 3 exudes peace and mysticism; one would almost think it was written at night in a snow-covered hut in front of a warming fire. The Finnish pianist Olli Mustonen, recently awarded for his recording of this work, returns to the Munich Philharmonic as soloist with this "gift of dreams." The dark, demonic side of the night, which can rob you of sleep, inspired Rautavaara's student Esa-Pekka Salonen to create his orchestral work "Insomnia," which uses a large orchestra and special sound magic to describe the nighttime discomfort until the saving sunrise. Tchaikovsky's 1st Symphony, on the other hand, is more conciliatory and calming: with this symphony, Tchaikovsky made an atmospheric declaration of love to the Russian winter with all its manifestations of horse-drawn sleighs, frost flowers and pale winter sunlight.

Rautavaara Salonen Tschaikowsky

Gasteig HP8

For many years, Einojuhani Rautavaara was an inspiring and highly respected professor of composition at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. His students included the conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen and tonight's soloist, Olli Mustonen. Rautavaara's 3rd Piano Concerto conjures up an atmosphere of calm and dreaminess, while Salonen's "Insomnia" explores the dark thoughts that haunt us, especially at night. Tchaikovsky gave his 1st Symphony the title "Winter Dreams" and takes the audience into a picturesque winter landscape. The youth concert full of northern lights, dream images and musical magic will be hosted by Malte Arkona.

2. Jugendkonzert

A ‘concerto for birds and orchestra’, Rautavaara’s ‘Cantus Arcticus’ blends recorded birdsong from the Arctic Circle with hauntingly beautiful orchestral music. This is followed by Lutosławski’s compelling and atmospheric Fourth Symphony which packs a dazzling variety of sounds into a brief but eventful two movements. Folk-inspired ‘Suita Rustica’ by Kaprálová draws on traditional Moravian melodies to create a colourful and energetic tribute to her Czech heritage. The evening ends with Martinů’s big-hearted Fourth Symphony, written in America in 1945, an optimistic work brimming with lyrical melodies.

FSO - Martinů, Lutosławski, Rautavaara, Kaprálová

Smith Square Hall

Winter Concert November 2024

World-renowned violinist Vadim Gluzman opens the Masterworks season with Tchaikovsky’s towering Violin Concerto, a magnificent combination of breathtaking melodies and stunning virtuosity. Following Sibelius’ majestic Finlandia and Rautavaara’s tribute to the birds of the Arctic, the program concludes with Respighi’s Pines of Rome . From the Villa Borghese to the Appian Way, Respighi’s brilliant work never fails to thrill as it peaks in a blaze of brassy glory.

EPSG:4326

Sounds of Nature

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

 I.-a Pet's Symphony: “my Crush On Dogs, Birds And Cats” 2024-2025

Miami Design District

Klaus Mäkelä conducts Dmitri Shostakovich' multifaceted Symphony No. 5, featured in his and the Oslo Philharmonic's first album in our new Shostakovich Series.

Release Concert Klaus Mäkelä

Oslo Concert Hall

“The National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYO Canada) thrives on exploring both iconic masterpieces and innovative works," says our Music Director, Naomi Woo. "In our 2024 season, we'll delve into pieces that have shaped music history, building upon the legacies of past composers while also gesturing towards the future.” 

Witness the exceptional talent of Canada's young musicians as they tackle the beloved orchestral classic Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra. Discover fresh voices through Violet Archer's Divertimento and experience a World Premiere by SOCAN emerging composer Danial Sheibani.  

NYO Canada presents Horizons Tour

The Royal Conservatory of Music

Finnish conductor Dalia Stasevska conducts this program of works by her homeland’s greatest composers – Sibelius’ extraordinary Fifth Symphony, Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Cantus Arcticus and Kaija Saariaho’s Harp Concerto featuring soloist Xavier de Maistre.

Dalia Stasevska Conducts Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony

Sydney Opera House

Soundscapes

Friends of the Coronado

The cool of the Arctic Circle meets the warmth of Ancient Greece in this colorful program led by the debut of Dalia Stasevska. This trailblazing conductor and unwavering activist will take the listener on a profound musical journey. 

Stasevska Soars: Sibelius’ 5th

Heinz Hall

Let there be light! The UK premiere of James MacMillan’s Fiat Lux, conducted by the composer himself.

Let There Be Light

Barbican Centre

Still waters run deep: Sakari Oramo and the BBC Symphony Chorus perform Brahms’s German Requiem, plus two emotionally-charged rediscoveries from postwar Finland.

Oramo conducts Brahms

Winter Classics Concert

Newton High School

We start amongst the shadowy landscapes of Northern Europe in Sibelius’s tone poem, Pohjola’s Daughter – its rich orchestration and charming cast of melodies depicting the troublesome pursuits of the great hero Väinämöinen as he attempts to win the trust of the fabled daughter of the North. Then, abandoning the mortal realm, a bewitchingly intense journey from one extreme to another in Gubaidulina’s ‘In Tempus Praesens’, a violin concerto which sees Tobias Feldmann deliver us from the murk of Hell to the heights of Heaven. Finally, brightness and bliss in Rautavaara’s Seventh Symphony, ‘Angel of Light’, an auroral tapestry of his childhood memories, prized for its deep spirituality.

An evening of Finnish wonder

The Bridgewater Hall

The Honors recital of pianist and composer Shayan Kalantar is a demonstration of his piano studies at UC San Diego. Featuring work by composers which have come to guide his compositional direction like Rachmaninoff and Godowsky, as well as one of his own compositions combining field recordings with acoustic improvisation. It is a window into the world which sparks his creativity, while guiding his compositional direction.

Shayan Kalantar - Undergraduate Honors, Composition

University of California San Diego

Tualatin Valley Symphony Presents "For the Birds" Featuring Five Bird-Inspired Compositions.

For the Birds Concert

Northwest Christian Church

Marvel at the beauty and fragility of our world in a family concert of sound and storytelling, with Grégoire Pont’s drawings projected live alongside thrilling music from the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

Our Precious Planet

Madeleine and Karl Weiss Memorial Concert

MassBay  Community College

Curtis Institute of Music students perform over 100 free recitals during the semester, held on most Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. Admission requires advance registration and is complimentary.

Curtis Brass and Percussion Ensemble

Curtis Institute of Music

The Land, the Sea, and the Birds

Newport Performing Arts Center

Revel in the connection between birdsong and music.  From the puckish Haydn to the moving Jocelyn Morlock, from the Vaughan Williams, featuring our very own virtuosic Christina Bouey, to recorded sounds of the Arctic Circle in the Eijanu Rautavaara, take a musical journey in celebration of birds in flight.

Flight of Fancy

Ithaca College

Spring’s Awakening presents a musical commentary on the natural world. Einojuhani Rautavaara’s innovative work Cantus Arcticus features recordings of arctic birds in dialogue with the various instruments of the orchestra, creating harmonious fusions that express the longing for unity between humans and nature. The dynamic and introspective Tipping Point by Huang Ruo is a work that reflects on the delicate balance between humanity and the environment, and contrasting percussive rhythms, representing the urgency of our ecological crisis. Schumann’s Symphony No. 1, the “Spring Symphony,” is a jubilant expression of renewal and rebirth. From its exuberant opening to its triumphant finale, Schumann captures the essence of springtime with lush orchestrations and joyous melodies, reminding us of the eternal cycle of life and the promise of new beginnings.

Spring’s Awakening

First Congregational Church of Berkeley

Experience an evening of exceptional musical artistry with the debut performance of violinist Johan Dalene and pianist Sahun Sam Hong. Johan Dalene, a prodigious talent recognized as Gramophone’s 2022 Young Artist of the Year, brings his Stradivarius to life with a masterful touch that has captivated audiences worldwide. His performances are noted for their refreshingly honest musicality and deep engagement with both musicians and listeners. Accompanying him is the award-winning pianist Sahun Sam Hong, whose colorful style and riveting energy have earned him accolades on prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.

The program for the evening features a rich and diverse selection of works, including Schumann's Sonata No. 1 in A Minor, Rautavaara's Notturno e Danza, Ravel's Tzigane, Lutoslawski's Partita for Violin and Piano, and Grieg's Sonata No. 2 in G Major. Each piece promises to showcase the duo's technical prowess and interpretative depth, offering a compelling journey through different musical landscapes.

Johan Dalene's career is marked by performances with leading orchestras and in celebrated recital halls globally. His recent highlights include debuts with the BBC Proms, Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, and San Francisco Symphony. Equally passionate about chamber music, Dalene has collaborated with renowned artists and performed in prestigious venues such as New York’s Carnegie Hall and London’s Wigmore Hall.

Sahun Sam Hong, praised for his clarity, confidence, and wide range of rich colors, has been a prominent figure in the chamber music scene. His innovative transcriptions and performances at major festivals like Marlboro and MusicMenlo have solidified his reputation as a versatile and dynamic artist.

This performance promises to be a memorable evening, celebrating the extraordinary talents of Johan Dalene and Sahun Sam Hong through a thoughtfully curated program that spans a wide array of musical expressions.

Johan Dalene Violin & Sahun Sam Hong Piano

War Memorial and Performing Arts Center

Join us for an evening of mesmerizing music at the "In the Beginning" concert, taking place on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 7:30 PM. This enchanting event will be held at the Broome County Forum Theatre, located at 236 Washington Street, Binghamton, NY. 

The concert will feature a captivating lineup of compositions, starting with Einojuhani Rautavaara's "In the Beginning," followed by Jean Sibelius's Symphony No. 3, and culminating with Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3. The talented Andrew Russo will grace the stage, performing on the piano, promising an unforgettable night of classical music.

Tickets are priced between $28 and $69, offering a range of seating options to accommodate all attendees. In a special effort to encourage young music enthusiasts, the box office is offering free tickets for kids 17 and under. Don't miss this opportunity to experience a night of exquisite music and talent. Secure your tickets now and be part of a memorable musical journey.

In the Beginning

Broome County Forum Theatre

In the Hanover Christ Church, the Slovenian conductor Martina Batič and the NDR Vokalensemble present works by contemporary composers such as Rautavaara, Sandström and Einfelde.

NDR Vokalensemble: "Nordic A Cappella" in the Christuskirche

Christuskirche

A tribute to Hans van Manen, this program showcases the nuance and elegance of the Dutch choreographer’s extensive oeuvre. Often dubbed “the grandmaster of contemporary ballet” and globally recognized for his unparalleled body of work, van Manen's program—curated by Rojo—celebrates his dynamic vision as a leading choreographer of his generation. Van Manen's profound interest in human connection takes center stage in this collection of four of his renowned ballets, including the much-anticipated SF Ballet premiere of his critically acclaimed 5 Tango's. With wide-ranging musical context from the maestro of nuevo tango, Astor Piazzolla, to Bach, Beethoven, Britten, and beyond, his hallmark inventive style is on full display, blending classical and contemporary themes while showcasing the dynamic range of our dancers.

Van Manen: Dutch Grandmaster

War Memorial Opera House

In the Recital Hall of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the Slovenian conductor Martina Batič and the NDR Vokalensemble present works by contemporary composers such as Rautavaara, Sandström and Einfelde.

NDR vocal ensemble: “Nordic A Cappella” in the Elphi

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

Rising cello superstar Zlatomir Fung returns to perform Dvořák’s elegy for a long-lost love, the impassioned Cello Concerto. “Jaw-dropping brilliance,” reports the Dallas Morning News of Zlatomir Fung. Rautavaara’s Cantus Arcticus layers the recorded cries for wild birds over mesmerizing waves of orchestral sound. As Janáček’s spirited Lachian Dance opens the program, Sibelius’ iridescent final work, the Seventh Symphony, brings it to a poignant close.

Einojuhani Rautavaara

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 18, 2025

The Land, the Sea, and the Birds · Newport Symphony Orchestra

Feb 22, 2025

Flight of Fancy · Cayuga Chamber Orchestra

Mar 16, 2025

Spring’s Awakening · Berkeley Symphony

Mar 28, 2025

Johan Dalene Violin & Sahun Sam Hong Piano · San Francisco Performances

Mar 29, 2025

In the Beginning · Binghamton Philharmonic

Past events

Dec 13, 2024

Rautavaara Salonen Tschaikowsky · Munich Philharmonic

Dec 12, 2024

2. Jugendkonzert · Munich Philharmonic

About

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