The Finnish composer Kalevi Aho is something as unusual as a primal force with post-modern overtones. And in addition, hugely productive, with 5 operas, 17 symphonies and 31 concertos. Diligently recorded by the Swedish label Bis, his music has also spread internationally. Not least solokonserterna in the 2000s ordered by stars such as flutist Sharon Bezaly and clarinetist Martin Fröst.
Slagverkskonserten with the title of ”Sieidi” which opened Thursday’s concert with Santtu-Matias Rouvali and the gothenburg symphony orchestra, after the entertaining piece ”Steampunk Blizzard” by Daniel Nelson, is from 2012 and commissioned by Colin Currie and the London philharmonic. Now performed the solo part of the austrian slagverkarstjärnan Mattias Grubinger. ”Sieidi” means place in the sami language, and the piece is supposed to fit equally well on the mountain Luosto foot of the sami in Finland and the Royal Festival Hall in London where it was premiered. A gorgeous showpiece with ritual support, which Grubinger, with its spectacular span between circus art and the, and the symphony orchestra participated to a breathtaking encounter. Considerations of a safe seeding Rouvali that this was his real home. He educated himself already as a very young percussionist.
also for the orchestra after the break with the Sibelius fifth symphony. Gothenburgers history with the Finnish symfonikern goes all the way back to Wilhelm Stenhammar-era and the early 1900s. And their fresh recording during Rouvali of the Sibelius first symphony (they should make the whole symfonicykeln) has already attracted national and international attention (review of the will in the DN next week).
And their Sibeliusfemma is very nice, performed in an organic cohesive flow where the music sounds like it gives birth to itself. To the composer only had to open the window for it to come to. This will be a kanonkonsert on the upcoming tour to including Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, Vienna and Salzburg. But rooted with a guest performance in Stockholm concert hall already in the day Saturday, February 16. Don’t miss out!
