Opera Society Taite ry and Chamber Orchestra Avanti! will bring two operas composed by Väinö Raition to the stage of the National Opera’s Alminsal in September-October. In addition, there are parts of Raition’s Asaria. The music is fantastic and the stage setting is powerful. The performances will take place in the Alminsal of the Finnish National Opera on 29.9., 30.9. and 1.10.2017 and tickets are on sale now. Read more here.
In spring 2017, Chamber Orchestra Avanti! treats the audience to a colourful selection of classical and contemporary music – without forgetting choice Baroque-era hits. The highlight of the season will be concert Kevään lumous (The Spell of Spring), with the dramatic soprano Karita Mattila dazzling in the lead. A premiere of a new orchestral piece by Lauri Kilpiö will open the concert.
Avanti!’s spring season comprises three concerts: in February Avanti! caps the festival Musica Nova by paying homage to György Ligeti; March will see the orchestra revisit the acclaimed concert Rite at Porvoo Cathedral; and the season will be wrapped up in May by casting the Spell of Spring.
On the last Saturday of May, Helsinki Music Centre will play host to Avanti!’s anticipated end-of-season concert with the brilliant Karita Mattila. Mattila was catapulted to international attention in 1983 when she won the singing contest Cardiff Singer of the World. As chance would have it, Avanti! was founded the same year, and now the paths of these two veritable phenomena of Finnish music cross again with love and its many hues – longing, romance and joy – being unleashed in the late May evening.
The concert will open with the premiere of a new orchestral work by composer Lauri Kilpiö, one of the most interesting voices of his generation. The piece has been commissioned by Pro Musica Foundation, which also supports the concert.
The pieces to be performed by Mattila portray the feelings of love and longing in the lightness of spring. French composer Henri Duparc’s songs are filled with elegant saudade and sensuality. The damsel in Jean Sibelius’s song “Flickan kom ifrån sin älsklings möte” falls victim to an infidel lover. In Rydberg’s “På verandan vid havet” the pregnant silence expresses omnipresent longing, whereas in “Våren flyktar hastigt” by Runeberg the mere memory of spring encourages to love.
Contentment of the heart shines through Robert Schumann’s symphony “Spring”, too: for the that time newly-wedded composer the season is swarming with tokens of romance.
Conductor Olari Elts.
NOTE: The concert program has changed. The information is updated on Jan 23rd 2017.
Opening the Season in the Spirit of Ligeti
The first concert of the season will spotlight Hungarian-born avant-garde composer György Ligeti and his musical heritage. The public will remember Ligeti’s music especially from the Stanley Kubrick films 2001: Space Odyssey and Eyes Wide Shut. The concert In the Spirit of Ligeti closes the festival Musica Nova and delves into the pervasive Ligetiian influence in the works of his son and major students.
Lukas Ligeti’s piece “Curtain” marries European modernism and African rhythms. Inspired by visual arts, the piece applies the technique of layering to music in a way that justifies comparisons to animation artist William Kentdrige. Ligeti paints on the melodic and harmonic canvas provided by the string quartet, creating an intriguing tension between the quartet and the larger ensemble.
“Thall” (Mask), the last part of Unsuk Chin’s cosmigimmicks, is a tribute to György Ligeti. In the centre of this musical pantomime is the guitar. Using only of a few repetitive microtones, the guitar plays a pseudo melody that changes according to the harmonies of other instruments – just like the expression on a mime artist’s face.
Benedict Mason, another important student of Ligeti’s, too, nods to his mentor in his piece “Hinterstoissener traverse”. By restricting itself to the use of only one note, g, this extremely minimalistic piece manages to direct its attention fully to the exploration of rhythm and dynamic.
The concert is a part of the festival Musica Nova and it will be conducted by Clement Power.
Avanti! Revisits the acclaimed Rite at Porvoo Cathedral
First performed in Helsinki’s Temppeliaukio church in April 2016, the much-lauded concert phenomenon Riitti (Rite) returns this spring. This time, Avanti! takes the theme concert to the atmospheric Porvoo Cathedral on 14 March. Rite brings together old and new music and takes advantage of the solemn space and peculiar acoustics of the church milieu.
Of well-known Baroque-era names the programme includes Henry Purcell’s “The Queen’s Funeral March” and Marin Marais’s piece “Sonnerie de Ste-Geneviève du Mont de Paris”, familiar from the biopic All the Mornings of the World.
Here the title “rite” does not only refer to and describe the programme but the form of the whole concert, as well. From to the flamboyance of the Baroque and its well-known pearls, the concert takes us to the futuristic atmospheres of the 1900s, along with a number of rarely performed pieces from the 1950s. Rite will culminate in concerto “Tarinaoopperabaletti” (Story Opera Ballet) for electronic cello, commissioned from Jukka Tiensuu by soloist Juho Laitinen.
The concert is a part of the concert series Taidetehtaan Klassikot and it will be conducted by Lauri Ahokas.
Tue March 14th 2017 at 7 pm
Porvoo Cathedral
Lauri Ahokas, conductor
Juho Laitinen, electronic cello
Rite returns! This time, Avanti! takes the much-lauded concert phenomenon to the atmospheric Porvoo Cathedral. Rite brings together old and new music and takes advantage of the solemn space and peculiar acoustics of the church milieu. The concert will culminate in concerto “Tarinaoopperabaletti” (Story Opera Ballet) for electronic cello, composed by Jukka Tiensuu for cellist Juho Laitinen.
Of well-known baroque-era names, the programme includes Henry Purcell’s “The Queen’s Funeral March” and Marin Marais’s piece “Sonnerie de Ste-Geneviève du Mont de Paris”, which the audience will know from the biopic All the Mornings of the World.
The title “rite” does not only refer to and describe the programme but the form of the whole concert, as well. From to the flamboyance of baroque and its well-known pearls, the concert takes us to futuristic atmospheres of the 1900s, along with a number of rarely performed pieces from the 1950s. Capping off the concert will be Jukka Tiensuu’s concerto for electronic cello, premiered last spring.
Everything one needs in life one finds in the embrace of music.
Just the thing for cradle, for funeral, for resurrection.
Excitement, reassurance, jubilation, acquiescence.
Electrifying cellos, glorious trumpets. Dance and sighs and the thunder of bells.
Ancient and brand new – all in sweet symbiosis.
(Jukka Tiensuu)
PROGRAMME:
Giacinto Scelsi: Quattro pezzi per tromba sola I
Henry Purcell: The Queen’s Funeral March
Pierre Henry: Variations pour une porte et un soupir: 4. Eveil
Jukka Tiensuu: Kalaasi
Pierre Henry: Variations pour une porte et un soupir: 8. Comptine
Henry Purcell: Pavane & Chacony
Otto Luening: Low Speed
Giacinto Scelsi: Quattro pezzi per tromba sola II
Marin Marais: Sonnerie de Ste-Geneviève du Mont de Paris
Jukka Tiensuu: Concerto for electronic cello and ensemble
The concert is part of Taidetehtaan Klassikot concert series.
Single tickets 27,50 € or Taidetehtaan Klassikot season ticket 78,50 € from www.lippu.fi
Avanti!’s spring 2017 concerts will feature a diverse selection of new and classical music as well as baroque hits. The concert season culminates with the Spring Enchantment concert, headlined by the dramatic soprano Karita Mattila. The concert will open with the premiere of a new orchestral work by Lauri Kilpiö.
Avanti!’s spring programme includes three concerts: the crowning concert of the Musica nova festival in February in the spirit of György Ligeti, the acclaimed Riitti concert in March at the Tuomiokirko Church in Porvoo, and the Spring Enchantment concert in May at the Music Hall.
SPRING LUMOUS 27.5.2017, Music Hall Concert Hall
On the last Saturday in May, Karita Mattila will be the soloist in the Spring Enchantment concert at Helsinki Music Centre. Mattila shot to international fame after winning the Cardiff Song Contest in 1983, when the chamber orchestra Avanti! was founded. Now the paths of these booming musical phenomena cross again.
The concert, supported by the Pro Musica Foundation, will premiere a new orchestral work by Lauri Kilpiö, one of the most interesting composers of his generation. The work was commissioned by the Pro Musica Foundation.
“The sonic characters in my upcoming orchestral piece are mainly sounds and textures, sometimes built up from non-compositional noise. However, my work is not sound art, but motivic music. I am extremely happy to have been commissioned by the Pro Musica Foundation to carry out a large, demanding and very inspiring compositional project together with the Avanti! orchestra,” says Kilpiö.
The concert will open John Cagen composed by 4’33”, which is considered a classic example of non-music or conceptual music. After the premiere, the concert will continue with songs by the luminous soprano Karita Mattila, who will play the many tones of love: longing, betrayal, romance and happiness. French singer Henri Duparc’s songs are distinguished by a subtle longing and sensuality. Sibelius and Runeberg glorify young love in the song Flickan kom ifrån sin älsklings möte, in which a girl is betrayed. In the Rydberg song På verandan vid havet, the tense silence expresses a yearning for eternity, while in the Runeberg song Våren flyktar hastigt, the mere memory of spring encourages love.
There’s also a touch of romantic bliss in Robert Schumann ‘s “Spring” symphony, in which a newly married composer finds romantic omens in the season.
The concert will be conducted by Olari Elts.
NOTE! Changes and additions have been made to the concert programme. The information has been updated on 23.1. and 12.4.
Spring season starts in the spirit of György Ligeti
MUSICA NOVA: IN THE SPIRIT OF LIGETI 12.2.2017, Paavo Hall, Helsinki Music Centre
The musical legacy of Hungarian-born avant-garde composer György Ligeti will be heard in the opening concert of Avanti!’s spring season, In the spirit of Ligeti, on 12 February. For the general public, Ligeti’s music is best known for Stanley Kubrick’s cult films 2001: A Space Adventure and Eyes Wide Shut. In the closing concert of Musica nova, György Ligeti’s influence can be heard in the compositions of his most important pupils and his son.
Lukas Ligeti’s Curtain brings together the legacy of European modernism and African rhythms. Inspired by the visual arts, the work explores the “painting on” and erasure of material over a melodic and harmonious ground in a manner reminiscent of animation artist William Kentdrige. A string quartet serves as the canvas on which Ligeti paints, creating a tension between the sounds of the quartet and those of the larger ensemble.
The final part of Unsuk Chin’s cosmigimmicks
Ligeti’s other important pupil, Benedict Mason, also bows to his mentor. Hinterstoissener traverse uses only one note, G. The extremely minimalist approach allows a close examination of rhythm and dynamics.
The concert is part of the Musica nova Helsinki festival programme and will be conducted by Clement Power.
Praised Riitti concert to be heard at the Tuomiokirko in Porvoo
RITE 14.3.2017, Porvoo Cathedral
First heard in April 2016 in Helsinki’s Temppeliaukio Church, the concert Riitti will be continued to rave reviews. Avanti! returns to the atmospheric Tuomiokirkko in Porvoo on 14 March with a highly acclaimed programme. Taking advantage of the space and acoustics of the church, the concert will combine new and old music.
Among the well-known composers of the Baroque period will be Henry Purcell’s The Queen’s Funeral Marchand Marin Marais’ Sonnerie de Ste-Geneviève du Mont de Paris, from the biopic All the Mornings of My Life .
As the name suggests, Avanti!’s Riitti concert will make use of ritual, both in terms of the works and their form. Ranging from the solemnity of the Baroque to the futuristic atmosphere of the 20th century, the concert includes not only Baroque hits but also rarely heard 1950s tape recordings. The concert will culminate in the ‘Story Opera Ballet’, a cello concertocommissioned by soloist Juho Laitinen from Jukka Tiensuu.
“New music is important to me. I don’t just mean recently composed works, but sounds in general that awaken new aesthetic, philosophical and ethical experiences. The commission is not only an act of cultural policy, but also a tool to seek out these awakenings,” says Laitinen.
The concert is part of the Taidetehtaan Classics series and will be conducted by Lauri Ahokas.
Musica Nova Helsinki 2017 festival program has been published. The final concert of the festival in Music Centre on Sun Feb 12th by Avanti! presents the legacy of György Ligeti through the works of his pupils and son, Lukas Ligeti.
The whole programme for Avanti’s spring season will be published soon!
LA 17.5.2025 at 18 | Avant Hall, Cable Factory
Continue readingTue 14.3.2017 at 19
Porvoo Cathedral
Lauri Ahokas, conductor
Juho Laitinen, electric cello
Avanti! returns with its acclaimed RIITTI programme to the atmospheric Tuomiokirkko in Porvoo. Taking advantage of the space and acoustics of the church, Avanti! combines new and old music. The evening will culminate in an electric cello concerto “Story Opera Ballet”, composed by Jukka Tiensuu for Juho Laitinen.
Among the well-known composers of the Baroque period, Henry Purcell’s “The Queen’s Funeral March ” and MarinMarais’s “Sonnerie de Ste-Geneviève du Mont de Paris” from the biographical film “All the Mornings of My Life” will be performed.
As its name suggests, Avant’s Riitti concert makes use of ritual, both in terms of the works and their form. Ranging from the solemnity of the Baroque to the futuristic atmosphere of the 20th century, the concert includes baroque hits as well as rarely heard 1950s tape recordings. The concert will close with Jukka Tiensuu’s Electric Cello Concerto, premiered last spring.
In the embrace of music, everything a person needs.
From nursery rhyme to funeral and resurrection.
Excitement, calm, celebration and abandonment.
The electricity of the cello. The glory of trumpets. Dance, sighs and the roar of bells.
The ancient and the new in a sweet symbiosis.
(Jukka Tiensuu)
PROGRAMME:
Giacinto Scelsi: Quattro pezzi per tromba sola I
Henry Purcell: The Queen’s Funeral March
Pierre Henry: Variations pour une porte et un soupir: 4. Eveil
Jukka Tiensuu: Kalaasi
Pierre Henry: Variations pour une porte et un soupir: 8. Comptine
Henry Purcell: Pavane & Chacony
Otto Luening: Low Speed
Giacinto Scelsi: Quattro pezzi per tromba sola II
Marin Marais: Sonnerie de Ste-Geneviève du Mont de Paris
Jukka Tiensuu: Concerto for electronic cello and ensemble
The concert is part of the Taidetehtaan Klassikot series.
Tickets including delivery costs 27,50 €, Taidetehtaan Klassikot series ticket 78,50 € www.lippu.fi
Avanti!’s concert The sound of Welfare continues the orchestra’s series of concerts with a political theme. This performance tackles the relation between art and the welfare state seriously, but with humour.
Jaakko Kuusisto conducts the concert with guest soloist e.g. Johanna Rusanen, Petri Bäckström and Jaakko Kortekangas.
The welfare state has taken ill as the commonplace goes. Can art provide the remedy? Simultaneously with cuts being introduced, arts are being hailed as a form of therapy and funded with this end in mind. But should welfare music be cheery and simple? Can it be played in minor or does this fail to produce the greatest happiness to the greatest number? Could it be that a sign of true social welfare is art that is autonomous and free from all predetermined purposes?
See more info here
Tickets 27,50/17,50€ www.lippu.fi
Wed 25.6.2025 at 12 | Town Hall Square, Porvoo Old Town
Continue readingSun 12.2.2017 at 14:00
Music House, Paavo Hall
Clement Power, conductor
In the closing concert of Musica Nova, György Ligeti’s influence will be heard in the compositions of his most important pupils and his son. Avant will be conducted by British conductor Clement Power.
Lukas Ligeti’s “Curtain” brings together the legacy of European modernism and African rhythms. Inspired by the visual arts, the work explores the “painting on” and erasing of material over a melodic and harmonious ground in a manner reminiscent of animation artist William Kentdrige. A string quartet serves as the canvas on which Ligeti paints, creating a tension between the sounds of the quartet and those of the larger ensemble.
The final part of Unsuk Chin’s “cosmigimmicks”, Thall, is a tribute to György Ligeti. The title of the piece means “mask” in Korean. The centre of the piece, which is a musical pantomime, is a guitar playing a pseudo-melody of a few repetitive microtones. “The “melody” is transformed by the harmonies of the other instruments like the expression on the mime’s face.
Ligeti’s other important pupil, Benedict Mason, also bows to his mentor. “Hinterstoissener traverse” uses only one key, G. The extremely minimalist approach allows for a close examination of rhythm and dynamics.
The concert is part of the Musica Nova Helsinki festival. The festival is the largest contemporary music event in Finland, with conductor André de Ridder as artistic director in 2017.
PROGRAMME:
Benedict Mason: Hinterstoissener traverse (1986)
Unsuk Chin: cosmigimmicks (2012)
1. Shadow Play
2. Quad
3. Thall
Lukas Ligeti: Curtain (2015)
Concert duration 1h.
Tickets including delivery 28,00 / 17,50 www.ticketmaster.fi or 25 / 15 € at the Musiikkitalo ticket office.