MoreConcerts
Avanti! Chamber Orchestra travels from Helsinki to New York City to lead the 2015 Chelsea Music Festival’s annual Carte Blanche evening with a portrait of Finnish music today, showcasing the Finnish Tango alongside works by Finnish composers Ilari Kaila (ASF Fellow 2006-07), Markku Lepistö, Magnus Lindberg, Veli-Matti Puumala, Kaija Saariaho, Aulis Sallinen, and Jukka Tiensuu.
Prior to the concert, members of Avanti! and composers Ilari Kaila and Uljas Pulkkis explore the topics of composition and contemporary music, especially that of and inspired by Finland.
Come hear what it is like to be Finland’s foremost contemporary ensemble and about the creative processes of two leading composers in this rare opportunity to chat with some of today’s most brilliant creators whose works will be revealed throughout the festival.
About Avanti! Chamber Orchestra
The Avanti! Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1983 by conductors Esa-Pekka Salonen, Olli Pohjola, and Jukka-Pekka Saraste; clarinetist Kari Kriikku has served as its Artistic Director since 1998. An ensemble that varies in size from a string quartet to a symphony orchestra, Avanti! specializes in no particular genre. Rather, it is proud to be a specialist in all styles with a strong sense of responsibility for the music of today.
Avanti! works in close partnership with the best Finnish and international conductors, soloists, and composers including Emmanuel Ax, Django Bates, Uri Caine, Barbara Hannigan, Gidon Kremer, Pekka Kuusisto, Hannu Lintu, Alexei Lubimov, Nico Muhly, Susanna Mälkki, Kaija Saariaho, Esa-Pekka Salonen, John Storgårds, and Matthias Pintscher, among others.
Touring regularly both at home and internationally, Avanti! has become one of the most active ambassadors of Finnish music abroad. Since 1986 the orchestra has hosted its Suvisoitto (Summer Sounds) Festival in Porvoo, Finland. Each year the festival focuses on an international guest composer to forge a living link between contemporary music and Finland’s unique summer music festivals.
The winner of many prizes and widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike, Avanti! is a major force in the Finnish musical arena. Avanti! has released albums on the Alba, BIS, Ondine, and Finlandia labels.
About the Chelsea Music Festival 2015
The 2015 Chelsea Music Festival celebrates Finland and Hungary with its annual edition of innovative programming that features leading artists in the performing, visual, and culinary arts. From Friday, June 12 through Saturday, June 20, 2015 in New York City, over two dozen events will take place in a wide range of venues throughout Manhattan. Program highlights include reflections and collaborations on the life and music of Jean Sibelius, who celebrates his 150th birthday in 2015, as well as the music of Bartók, Kodaly, Rautavaara, and Bach. The festival will once again present world and New York premieres, original jazz arrangements, as well as evening and late-night expeditions that complete a portrait of Finland and Hungary’s past and present.
Events include evening concerts with music ranging from baroque to jazz, Saturday morning family events that give children a chance to hear, taste, and see Finland and Hungary, late night events, and daytime open-air events that feature the Finnish tango and Hungarian dances.
1434396600
1434396600
Photo Courtesy of ensemble mise-en
MON – 6-15-2015 – 7:30 PM
Pre-concert Festival talk 6:30 pm
$35 ($20 ASF Members) Festival Talks open to any ticket holder