Hush…when the great Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho died in 2023, she left behind her a trumpet concerto unlike any other, crafted to showcase the remarkable, genre-crossing artistry of trumpeter Verneri Pohjola. He gives its UK premiere tonight. a final, profoundly moving testament from one of our century’s greatest creative spirits, as she took her own “journey to silence”.

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A Meditation on Life

Barbican Centre

Hush…when the great Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho died in 2023, she left behind her a trumpet concerto unlike any other, crafted to showcase the remarkable, genre-crossing artistry of trumpeter Verneri Pohjola. He gives its UK premiere tonight. a final, profoundly moving testament from one of our century’s greatest creative spirits, as she took her own 'journey to silence'.

Immerse yourself in an evening of profound musical exploration with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, featuring the talents of Finnish superstars under the baton of Susanna Mälkki. This captivating concert, set for Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 8:00 PM, and again on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 2:00 PM, promises an unforgettable journey through the works of Schubert, Strauss, and Saariaho.

The program opens with Schubert's Symphony No. 8, famously known as the "Unfinished," a piece that enchants with its haunting melodies and unresolved mysteries. The evening then introduces the U.S. premiere of Kaija Saariaho's "HUSH," a LA Phil commission that represents the composer's poignant farewell to the world, expressing a journey to silence amidst her battle with terminal brain cancer. This piece, dedicated to jazz trumpeter Verneri Pohjola, features a mesmerizing performance where the trumpet navigates through the orchestra with a ghostly presence.

Following an intermission, the concert concludes with Richard Strauss's "Death and Transfiguration," a powerful depiction of a man's final moments and his soul's transcendence. Inspired by the concept of Liebestod from Wagner's "Tristan and Isolde," Strauss's composition delves into the profound questions of life and the hereafter with stunning harmonies and masterful orchestration.

Under the leadership of Susanna Mälkki, with Verneri Pohjola on the trumpet, this performance is not just a concert but an emotional expedition that explores the mysteries of life, death, and what may lie beyond. This event is a highlight of the Otis Booth Foundation Series: Thursday Evenings TH2 Series, showcasing the brilliance of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the depth of human expression through music.

Join us for a night of introspection and sublime music at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and be part of a unique experience that resonates with the soul. Tickets are available now, but act quickly as sales are final and availability is subject to change. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the convergence of great musical minds in a performance that promises to be as enlightening as it is enchanting.

Verneri Pohjola

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 24, 2025

A Meditation on Life · BBC Symphony Orchestra

Jan 24, 2025

A Meditation on Life · Barbican Centre

Jan 30 - Feb 2, 2025

Schubert, Strauss & Saariaho · Los Angeles Philharmonic

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