Teatro Productions

Between (Saariaho – Hilli – Vestergård)

 31.8.2022, 7.30pm
 2.9.2022, 7.30pm
 3.9.2022, 4pm
 Finnish National Opera, Almin Hall

Kaija Saariaho’s first stage work Study for Life received its only performance thus far in February 1981. Now the French theatre group La Chambre aux échos and the Secession Orchestra will bring their own vision to bear upon this mysterious, early foray into opera, combining it with a staged version of Saariaho’s violin concerto, Graal Théâtre.

Oulu Sinfonia

Focus Kaija Saariaho

 6.10.2022, 7pm
 Madetoja Hall, Oulu

Oulu Sinfonia celebrates Kaija Saariaho with a concert featuring the cornerstones of her orchestral output. In the course of the evening we will hear the 1995 violin concerto inspired by the knights of the round table and the 2020 work Vista, reflecting the landscapes of California. The concert is held in collaboration with the New Music October festival.

FINNISH RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Late-night chamber music: Kaija Saariaho at 70

 12.10.2022, 9pm
 Helsinki Music Centre, Concert Hall

As part of the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra’s ‘Late-night chamber music’ series, we will hear Kaija Saariaho’s Six Japanese Gardens performed by percussionist Naoki Yasuda.

Kaija Saariaho: Six Japanese Gardens

Oulu Sinfonia

Kaija Saariaho 70: The Sound of Visions

 14.10.2022

Oulu Symohony Orchestra’s Chamber Musicians celebrate Kaija Saariaho on her 70th birthday. Small chamber ensembles offer glimpses of Saariaho’s music at several locations around the unique milieu of Pikisaari. Students from the Oulu University of Applied Sciences dance instructor course join the musicians in the performance.

 Vanha Lämpökeskus, the studio of Sakari Matinlaurin: 5pm, 5.45pm, 6.30pm, 7.15pm
Kaija Saariaho: Ciel étoilé
Kaija Saariaho: Aure

 Vanha villatehdas, the studio of Kari Södön (2nd floor): 5pm, 5.45pm, 7.15pm
Kaija Saariaho: Cloud Trio

 Mallassauna: 5.30pm, 6.20pm, 7pm, 7.45pm
Kaija Saariaho: Mirrors
Kaija Saariaho: Oi kuu

 Kulttuurilaboratorio: 6pm, 7.20pm
Kaija Saariaho: Nymphéa
Kaija Saariaho: NoaNoa

HELSINKI PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Kaija Saariaho 70

 14.10.2022, 7pm
 Helsinki Music Centre, Concert Hall

Two sounds from the violin – one plucked, one scraped – form the raw materials of the tape part of Kaija Saariaho’s first orchestral work. The French premiere of Verblendungen in 1984 was the spark that ignited the composer’s international breakthrough.

Matthew Whittall: The Silence Speaks (world premiere)
Kaija Saariaho: Notes on Light
Kaija Saariaho: Verblendungen
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No 4

Tampere Filharmonia

Happy Birthday, Kaija Saariaho!

 14.10.2022, 7pm
 Tampere Hall, Main Auditorium

John Storgårds conducts a concert in celebration of Kaija Saariaho’s 70th birthday. This concert includes a performance of Saariaho’s latest orchestral work, Vista.

Jean Sibelius: Karelia Overture, Op. 10
Kaija Saariaho: Vista
Jean Sibelius: The Oceanides, Op.73
Vaughan Williams: Symphony No. 5

HELSINKI MUSIC CENTRE FOUNDATION & URUT SOIMAAN RY (‘PLAY THE ORGAN’)

Kaija Saariaho 70th Birthday Concert

 15.10.2022, 7pm
 Musiikkitalo, Concert Hall

This concert presents a cross-section of works exploring the breadth of Saariaho’s output over her extensive career, alongside two chamber works specially commissioned from student composers. The concert features a number of freelance ensembles Zagros Ensemble and Avanti! Chamber Orchestra, each of whom have enjoyed a lengthy artistic collaboration with Saariaho.

Kaija Saariaho: Solar (1993)
Tara Valkonen: New work (2022)
Paavo Heininen: Reality (1978)
Kaija Saariaho: Aile du songe (2001)
Leevi Räsänen: Don’t tell mama (2022)
Kaija Saariaho: Graal théâtre (1993)

URUT SOIMAAN RY (‘PLAY THE ORGAN’) & UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS / SIBELIUS ACADEMY

Conference: New Organ in the Concert Hall

 16.10.2022, 12pm – 4.15pm
 Musiikkitalo, Organo

In a little over a year’s time, the Helsinki Music Centre will have a new concert organ of the highest international calibre. This series of lectures and associated panel discussion features many internationally acclaimed contributors, including Wendelin Eberle (Austria), Olivier Latry (France), Jean Willy-Kunz (Canada), Pekka Suikkanen, Kaisa Näreranta, Petri Komulainen, Maija Hynninen, Matthew Whittall, Adina Dumitrescu, Tapio Hakanen, Olli Virtaperko, Aliisa Neige Barrière, Aleksi Malmberg and Irina Vavilova.

Tampere Filharmonia

L’après-midi d’un faun: Clouds, weaves, ashes

 16.10.2022, 3pm
 Tampere Hall, Main Auditorium

This concert is part of the national Kaija Saariaho 70 celebrations.

Kaija Saariaho: Laconisme de l’aile
Kaija Saariaho: Cloud Trio
Amy Beach: Quartet for string quartet in one movement
Kaija Saariaho: Cendres
Kat Souponetsky: Tides of Solitude

ORGANO NOVO & URUT SOIMAAN RY (‘PLAY THE ORGAN’)

Offrande: Kaija Saariaho’s and Juha T. Koskinen’s organ and choral works

 16.10.2022, 7pm – 8pm
 Temppeliaukion kirkko (The Rock Church), Helsinki

Kaija Saariaho’s aesthetics exude spirituality. The gem of the concert is the early Three Preludes to the Bible texts. Saariaho’s music is met by musicians dedicated to his music.

Saariaho: Nuits, adieux (1991)
Koskinen: Ormhuvud I (2006)
Kaija Saariaho: Lulluby for cello solo (2020)
Koskinen: Ormhuvud II
Saariaho: Offrande (2014)
Koskinen: Ormhuvud III
Kaija Saariaho: Three preludes (1981)
Koskinen: Ormhuvud IV
Koskinen: Earth Treasury (2018)
Saariaho: Reconnaissance (2020)

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SIBELIUS ACADEMY

Solo I

17.10.2022, 12pm – 12.15pm
 Musiikkitalo, Main Foyer

Every day from 17th-21st October at 12pm, the Main Foyer of the Helsinki Music Centre will host fifteen-minute performances of Kaija Saariaho’s solo works. The performance is by Sibelius-Academy student Hannes Jämsä (cello).

Kaija Saariaho: Spins and Spells (2006)

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SIBELIUS ACADEMY & URUT SOIMAAN RY (‘PLAY THE ORGAN’)

Mirage

17.10.2022, 7pm
 Musiikkitalo, Camerata

This concert presents a cross-section of Kaija Saariaho’s rich output of chamber music in performances by students and teachers at the Sibelius Academy, joined here by an array of other acclaimed musicians.

Kaija Saariaho’s vocal and chamber music 1:

Il pleut (1986)
Tocar (2010)
Oi Kuu (1990)
Changing Light (2005)
Adjö (1982/85)
Die Aussicht (1996)
Caliban’s Dream (1993)
Miranda’s lament (1997)
Mirage (2007)

URUT SOIMAAN RY (‘PLAY THE ORGAN’)

The Fatzer Soldier’s Tale

17.10.2022, 8.30pm
 Musiikkitalo, Restaurant Club

Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale is here reinterpreted in a performance scripted and directed by Aleksi Barrière. The performance is part of the Kaija Saariaho 70 celebrations and curated by the composer herself.

Music: Igor Stravinsky

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SIBELIUS ACADEMY

Solo II

18.10.2022, 12pm – 12.15pm
 Musiikkitalo, Main Foyer

Every day from 17th-21st October at 12pm, the Main Foyer of the Helsinki Music Centre will host fifteen-minute performances of Kaija Saariaho’s solo works. This performance features Sibelius-Academy student Joanna Hanhikoski (cello).

Kaija Saariaho: Sept papillons (2000)

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS

Art Point: Crossing Over

18.10.2022, 5.30pm – 6.30pm
 Musiikkitalo, Päälämpiö

What kind of borders can art traverse, and why is it important to do so? How can one be an innovator within the constraints of such strong, mainstream traditions? A panel discussion featuring composer Kaija Saariaho and other fearless and visionary artists.

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SIBELIUS ACADEMY

Solo III

19.10.2022, 12pm – 12.15pm
 Musiikkitalo, Main Foyer

Every day from 17th-21st October at 12pm, the Main Foyer of the Helsinki Music Centre will host fifteen-minute performances of Kaija Saariaho’s solo works. This performance features Sibelius-Academy student G.C. Moreno (clarinet).

Kaija Saariaho: Duft (2012)

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SIBELIUS ACADEMY

Solo IV

20.10.2022, 12pm – 12.15pm
 Musiikkitalo, Main Foyer

Every day from 17th-21st October at 12pm, the Main Foyer of the Helsinki Music Centre will host fifteen-minute performances of Kaija Saariaho’s solo works. This performance features Sibelius-Academy student Lambis Pavlou (piano).

Kaija Saariaho: Prelude (2007)
Kaija Saariaho: Ballade (2005)

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SIBELIUS ACADEMY

Jardin secret

 20.10.2022, 7pm
 Musiikkitalo, Camerata

This concert presents a cross-section of Kaija Saariaho’s rich output of chamber music in performances by students and teachers at the Sibelius Academy.

Kaija Saariaho’s vocal and chamber music 2:

Kaija Saariaho: Jardin Secret II for harpsichord and electronics (1986)
Kaija Saariaho: Saarikoski Songs (2017)
Kaija Saariaho: … de la Terre (1991)
Kaija Saariaho: Lonhfor soprano and electronics (1996)
Kaija Saariaho: Terra Memoria, string quartet (2006)

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SIBELIUS ACADEMY

Solo V

21.10.2022, 12pm – 12.15pm
 Musiikkitalo, Main Foyer

Every day from 17th-21st October at 12pm, the Main Foyer of the Helsinki Music Centre will host fifteen-minute performances of Kaija Saariaho’s solo works. This performance features Sibelius-Academy student Lotus Tinat (violin).

Kaija Saariaho: Nocturne (1994)

FINNISH NATIONAL OPERA AND BALLET

Innocence

 21.10.–24.11.2022
 Finnish National Opera and Ballet, Main Stage

Innocence is a monumental opera, playing out in two different time frames. It is an opera about wounds, the passing of time, and about letting go. The work premiered in France in the summer of 2021 to great critical acclaim, and now the time for its long-awaited Finnish premiere has finally come.

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SIBELIUS ACADEMY

Lec­ture se­ries on mu­sic of our time: Kaija Saari­aho

3.11.2022, 13.15pm – 14.45pm
 Musiikkitalo, Auditorium

Composer Kaija Saariaho turns 70 this year. She addresses young emerging composers in her jubilee lecture. Free admission.

Teatro Productions

La Passion de Simone

 29.12.2022, 7pm
 30.12.2022, 7pm
 Musiikkitalo, Concert Hall

La Passion de Simone is based on the life and thoughts of the French philosopher Simone Weil. In this performance at the Helsinki Music Centre, the performers of the group La Chambre des échos are joined by the Finnish chamber ensemble Avanti! under the baton of Saariaho specialist Clément Mao-Takacs.