Excluding Sibelius' Seventh Symphony, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra will perform all works in its repertoire. Founded in 1882, the orchestra has a deep connection with Sibelius, having premiered his Violin Concerto in 1904, a piece they have performed over 200 times since.
Now, after more than 140 years of contributing to Finnish music history, the Helsinki Philharmonic will visit South Korea for the first time. The concert, scheduled for October 22 at the Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul, will be conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste, who stated in a written interview with reporters, "Sibelius is part of the tradition that has accompanied the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra for nearly 150 years."
Saraste has served as music director and chief conductor for various orchestras, including the Finnish Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, and Cologne's WDR Symphony. Since 2023, he has held the position of chief conductor and artistic director of the Helsinki Philharmonic, making him a leading conductor of Finnish and Nordic repertoire.
He highlighted the orchestra's sound as one of its strengths, saying, "The sound of this orchestra is very broad, deep, and expressive."
The orchestra's repertoire is also diverse, benefiting from the wide-ranging tastes of Finnish audiences. Saraste noted, "Thanks to our curious audience, there are no restrictions on the orchestra's programming. We perform a variety of works, from contemporary music to classical and late Romantic pieces, in front of packed houses. This experience has greatly enhanced the orchestra's capabilities."
This concert will center around Sibelius, featuring his 'Pelléas et Mélisande' and Symphony No. 2, along with Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2. When asked about the inclusion of both Sibelius and Prokofiev in the program, Saraste remarked, "It is a very natural choice to pair Sibelius and Prokofiev. Finland was part of Russia until 1917, and the influence of Russian music can be found in Sibelius' works. 'Pelléas et Mélisande' showcases the diverse aspects of Sibelius' music and contrasts beautifully with Symphony No. 2."
However, Finnish music resonates with the Finnish temperament. Saraste describes this characteristic as 'space and vastness.' He explained, "Finnish people are not extroverted, but they are not introverted either. They possess deep emotions but do not exaggerate their expressions."
Saraste has previously mentioned that it took him a long time to fully understand Sibelius' Symphony No. 2. When asked if his interpretation has changed over the years, he replied, "My perspective on Sibelius' Symphony No. 2 has not changed significantly. However, I strive to express the inherent drama of the music and the musical goals that one inevitably reaches more convincingly with each performance."
Inmo Yang, 31, will be the featured soloist for Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2. Yang made history as the first Korean to win the Paganini International Violin Competition in 2015 and again as the first Korean to win the Sibelius International Violin Competition in 2022.
Saraste expressed his anticipation for collaborating with Yang, stating, "Inmo Yang is a truly interesting performer with a unique sound. He is perfectly suited for Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 2."
The concert will take place on October 22 at 7:30 PM at the Lotte Concert Hall.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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