Composer

Experience the grandeur of Beethoven's Eighth Symphony with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of the esteemed conductor Dinis Sousa. This remarkable performance is set to take place on April 24th and 25th, 2023, at the prestigious Berwaldhallen, promising an evening of exquisite music that spans the emotional spectrum.

Ludwig van Beethoven himself described his Eighth Symphony as his "little symphony in F," a light-hearted composition that contrasts with his more substantial Sixth Symphony. Despite its cheerful demeanor, the Eighth Symphony is anything but lightweight, offering a rich, intricate listening experience that showcases Beethoven's mastery of symphonic form.

The concert also features Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 49 in F minor, known as "La passione," a work that delves into darker, more dramatic territories. Complementing these classical masterpieces, the contemporary piece "Vers toi qui es si loin" by Kaija Saariaho, for violin and orchestra, will be performed by the talented Julia Kretz-Larsson, assistant first concertmaster of the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra. This piece acts as a beacon of light amidst the contrasting moods of the Haydn and Beethoven symphonies.

The entire concert, with an approximate duration of 1 hour and 10 minutes, promises to be a memorable journey through the realms of classical music, from the passionate depths of Haydn's work to the innovative brilliance of Beethoven, and the contemporary resonance of Saariaho.

For those unable to attend in person, the concert will be broadcasted on Swedish Radio P2 on Friday, May 3rd, at 7:03 pm, allowing music lovers everywhere to partake in this extraordinary musical event.

Tickets for the performances on April 24th and 25th are in high demand, with availability varying. Attendees are encouraged to secure their seats promptly to experience the magic of Beethoven's Eighth Symphony, performed by one of the world's leading orchestras, in the heart of Sweden's cultural scene.

Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony

SR Berwaldhallen

The recent passing of Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho ended a brilliant career in the highest echelons of the music world. Aure, a work for violin and viola, demonstrates her mastery and originality. Danny Elfman, prolific film composer (Spider-Man, Good Will Hunting), singer, and percussionist, turns his protean talents to the Piano Quartet, with amazing results. The ravishing renegade Rebecca Clarke explores both modern concepts and ancient styles with her duo-concertante Dumka. Lastly, the autobiographical String Quartet No. 1 (“From My Life”) of Bedřich Smetana, father of Czech nationalist music, closes our season with one of the most beloved works in the chamber repertoire. 

Banquet

St Peter's Episcopal Church

St Gabriel's Church

Be moved by the power of our Symphony Orchestra performances! Adventure Awaits! Order tickets today.

EPSG:4326

Opposites Attract

UIS Performing Arts Center

ISU Center for the Performing Arts

A joyous wedding celebration takes a shocking turn when the darkest of family secrets is revealed and a young bride has an impossible decision to make.
Acclaimed by the The New York Times as a “masterpiece,” Innocence takes us to the limits of a family’s ability to deal with tragedy. In a gripping one-act drama, Kaija Saariaho and Sofi Oksanen unfold a harrowing story of emotional shock and surprise in which our understanding of innocence and guilt is continually upended.
Premiered in Aix-en-Provence in 2021 and making its American premiere in San Francisco, Innocence makes clear the power of the opera stage to tell emotive stories impossible in any other art form. Saariaho specialist Clément Mao-Takacs leads an international cast of singers and actors in this towering work performed in multiple languages.

Innocence

War Memorial Opera House

"Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord." (Psalm 130:1) Downtown Voices; The Choir of Trinity Wall Street; and NOVUS NY bring the 2023-2024 season to a close on June 2, at 3pm, in Trinity Church, with Lili Boulanger's Psalm 130, Kaija Saariaho's Oltra Mar, and Eriks Ešenvald's Psalm 130. Free.

Season Finale: Out of the Depths

Trinity Church

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

Evening Concert

Libbey Park

Morning Concert

Join us for an enchanting evening of contemporary music at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, 6th October 2024, at 6pm, featuring the captivating works of Kaija Saariaho and Hans Abrahamsen. This special "Music of Today" concert, part of the Nordic Soundscapes series, is a celebration of the leading Nordic composers of recent decades, offering a unique opportunity to experience the compelling compositions of Saariaho and Abrahamsen, free of charge, though a ticket is required.

Under the baton of Chloe Rooke, making her Philharmonia debut, and featuring the exquisite soprano Ella Taylor, acclaimed for their "gorgeous voice" by BBC Music Magazine, the evening promises to be a memorable one. The programme includes Saariaho's "Semafor," one of her last pieces, inspired by the playful sculptures of Finnish artist Ernst Mether-Borgström, and Abrahamsen's "Two Inger Christensen Songs," crystalline settings of poems by the renowned Danish poet, capturing a timeless connection with the natural world.

This concert not only showcases the talents of emerging artists alongside established musicians but also marks a welcome return for Ella Taylor, who first performed with us in an unconventional venue, a multi-storey car park in Peckham. Now, they grace the stage with a small ensemble of Philharmonia players for an evening that promises to be as innovative as it is inspiring.

Priority booking is available for Friends of the Philharmonia, with general booking opening at 10am on Tuesday, 23rd April. Secure your seat for this free event and immerse yourself in the modern sounds of the Nordic landscape. For more information and to book your tickets, contact the Philharmonia Box Office at 0800 652 6717, Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm. Don't miss this early evening concert, a perfect prelude to the broader explorations of Nordic Soundscapes.

Music of Today: Kaija Saariaho and Hans Abrahamsen

Royal Festival Hall

Experience the profound emotional depth of Tchaikovsky's final symphony, the Pathétique, performed by The Philadelphia Orchestra under the electrifying baton of conductor Rafael Payare. This masterpiece, which Tchaikovsky himself said contained his whole soul, will be presented alongside Ravel's enchanting Suite No. 2 from Daphnis and Chloe and Kaija Saariaho's dramatic violin concerto, Graal théâtre, featuring the fabulously assured and poetic violinist Carolin Widmann. These performances promise an unforgettable journey through the passionate, the magical, and the legendary, inspired by the tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

Join us at Verizon Hall, now rededicated as Marian Anderson Hall, for this monumental event on the following dates:
- Thursday, January 23, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 8:00 PM
- Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 2:00 PM

This performance is part of the 2024-25 Subscription Package, offering magnificent programming and exclusive subscriber benefits. Don't miss this opportunity to witness a work that has inspired generations of composers and artists, marking a new age of the symphonic form.

For tickets and more information, visit EnsembleArtsPhilly.org or contact us at 215-893-1999. Experience the passion, the innovation, and the legacy of Tchaikovsky's Pathétique with The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique Symphony

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Join us for an extraordinary musical experience as The Cleveland Orchestra presents "Adès Conducts Adès" at the Severance Music Center's Mandel Concert Hall. This special event, taking place on February 20 and 22, 2025, features the world-renowned conductor Thomas Adès leading the orchestra in a captivating program.

Event Dates:
- Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 7:30 PM
- Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 8:00 PM

The program includes a rich selection of works:
- SIBELIUS: The Oceanides
- SAARIAHO: Oltra Mar
- THOMAS ADÈS: America: A Prophecy (US Premiere TCO co-commission)
- IVES: Orchestral Set No. 2

Performing alongside The Cleveland Orchestra will be the talented mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor and The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus, promising an evening of unforgettable musical artistry.

Venue:
Mandel Concert Hall, Severance Music Center, is Cleveland’s premier destination for symphonic music. The center is dedicated to making everyone feel welcome, with doors opening three hours prior to most performances. For those attending, the most convenient parking option is Case Western Reserve University's CWRU Lot 29 Campus Center Garage, located directly adjacent to Severance Music Center.

Accessibility:
Severance Music Center is committed to accessibility for all guests. Features include wheelchair access & seating, companion wheelchair seating, assistance for the deaf or hard of hearing (including Infrared Assistive Listening Devices), assistance for the blind or persons with low vision (including large print programs and Braille texts upon request), and service animal accommodation. Fully accessible restrooms are available in the Smith Lobby.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to witness Thomas Adès conduct a program of both classic and contemporary works, including the US premiere of his own composition. Subscribe now for "Adès Conducts Adès" and be part of a memorable musical journey with The Cleveland Orchestra.

Kaija Saariaho

Composer

Events

24 - 25 Apr, 2024

Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony · Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra

27 - 28 Apr, 2024

Banquet · New Bedford Symphony Orchestra

3 - 4 May, 2024

Opposites Attract · Illinois Symphony Orchestra

1 - 21 Jun, 2024

Innocence · San Francisco Opera

Jun 2, 2024

Season Finale: Out of the Depths · Trinity Church Wall Street

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