Organization

Helsinki Festival

Conductor

Nils Schweckendiek

Singer

Soprano

Linnéa Sundfaer Casserly

Julia Heéger

Contralto

Eleriin Müüripeal

Alto

Countertenor

David Hackston

Tenor

Martti Anttila

Mats Lillhannus

Bass

Sampo Haapaniemi

Jussi Linnanmäki

Others

Helsinki Chamber Choir

Uusinta Ensemble

Reconnaissance – Kaija Saariaho’s choral works

Helsinki

Finland

Temppeliaukio Church

Reconnaissance – Kaija Saariaho’s choral works: Concert Various

Public

Concert

Approved

Kaija Saariaho turns 70 this year, and while audiences at the Helsinki Festival won’t be treated to a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’, the event will be marked with a different kind of sing-along when the Helsinki Chamber Choir performs all Saariaho’s a cappella pieces in the Temppeliaukio Church. It will also be the Finnish premiere of her most recent: Reconnaissance.

Saariaho was named ‘the best living composer in the world’ in a survey of contemporary composers conducted by BBC Music Magazine. The performers and setting for the celebration will be worthy of her music – a top choir of dedicated professionals and a venue cut into solid rock that’s like an instrument in itself.

The performance of the choral works will coincide with the Night of the Arts, and aptly so: this will be a celebration of both artist and arts.

Helsinki Chamber Choir
Uusinta Ensemble
Nils Schweckendiek, director

Linnéa Sundfaer Casserly and Julia Heéger, soprano
Eleriin Müüripeal and David Hackston, alto
Martti Anttila and Mats Lillhannus, tenor
Sampo Haapaniemi and Jussi Linnanmäki, bass

Anna Kuvaja, piano
Timo Kurkikangas, elektroniikka

Uusinta Ensemble:
I-Han Fu, percussions
Aleksi Kotila, violin
Joasia Cieślak, cello
Eero Marttila, bass

Programme:
Nuits, adieux – original version for 4 soloists and electronics
Text: Jacques Roubaud / Honoré de Balzac

Écho for 8 soloists and electronics
Text: Aleksi Barrière

Tag des Jahrs for choir and electronics
Text: Friedrich Hölderlin

—

Nuits, adieux – a cappella version
Text: Jacques Roubaud / Honoré de Balzac

Überzeugung for female voices, crotale, violin and cello
Text: Friedrich Hölderlin

Horloge, tais-toi! for SA chorus and piano
Text: Aleksi Barrière

Reconnaissance for choir, percussion and double bass
Text: Aleksi Barrière

English

Reconnaissance – Kaija Saariaho’s choral works by Various, From (2022/2022), Conductor Nils Schweckendiek, Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki, Finland

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues