Ears Open society celebrates 30 years with young composer

Ears Open society (Korvat auki ry.) celebrates its 30th anniversary this November with a mini festival concentrating on the music of the younger generation of Finnish composers. The festival consists of four events arranged in Helsinki from November 24 to December 1, 2007, including concerts as well as a club night.

Ears Open society has promoted contemporary music with concerts, educational events and seminars since 1977. The first generation of Ears Open society included Eero Hämeenniemi, Kaija Saariaho, Magnus Lindberg and Esa-Pekka Salonen, among others. Today, the active members of the society, featured also in the 30th anniversary concerts, include the present students of composition like Maija Hynninen, Jarkko Hartikainen, Markku Klami and Maria Kallionpää.

The festival programme embraces a plurality of styles and types of music, ranging from solo works to works for chamber ensemble, even to modernized Christmas carols and techno music. The celebration begins with a concert by Uusi Nuori KamariOrkesteri (The New Young Chamber Orchestra) on November 24, 2007. On November 27, a number of new Christmas carols will be premiered at Töölö Church, followed by a club night at Korjaamo. The festival ends with an intimate chamber concert on December 1.

Concerts

Nov 24, Sibelius Academy Concert Hall
"Opening Concert"
Antti Auvinen: Februa
Jarkko Hartikainen: Lumen (Finnish Premiere)
Maija Hynninen: Sonnet (World Premiere)
Maria Kallionpää: Zahir (World Premiere)
Markku Klami: In singleness... (World Premiere of the new version)
Tim Page: Torsion
Uusi Nuori KamariOrkesteri, cond. Jani Telaranta, Mia Heikkinen, soprano, Maria Kallionpää, piano, Mikko Raasakka, clarinet
Broadcast by Finnish Broadcasting Company

Nov 27, Töölö Church
"New christmas carols"
Premieres by Jarkko Hartikainen, Lauri Mäntysaari, Markus Virtanen, Ari Romppanen, Jaakko Kortesharju, Miika Hyytiäinen
New work by Heinz-Juhani Hofmann for mezzo soprano and violin
Anu Hostikka and Sirkka Lampimäki, soprano, Elina Hakahuhta and Jutta Seppinen, mezzo soprano, Maria Puusaari, violin, Maria Kallionpää, Jaakko Kortesharju and Sari Blå, piano

Nov 27, Korjaamo
"Ears to the repair shop" (Korvat Korjaamolle)
Improvisation, tape music etc.
Latvamäki & Haapakoski, feat. Levon Zoltar, Dance Improvisation Group RIO

Dec 1, Ateneum
"Ear for chamber music"
Jarkko Hartikainen: alone (Finnish Premiere)
Jouni Hirvelä: Crack
Maija Hynninen: Kinakridon
Miika Hyytiäinen: 0137
Janne Ikonen: Lento
Tiina Myllärinen: Three songs for mezzo soprano, guitar and cello
Lauri Mäntysaari: Chats Before Sunrise
Ari Romppanen: Rho Cas
Jan Mikael Vainio: Broomstick
Adam Vilagi: Zest (World Premiere)
Maria Puusaari, violin, Otto Virtanen, bassoon, Seeli Toivio, cello, Emil Holmström, piano, Otto Tolonen, guitar, Antti Leinonen, accordion, among others

Merja Hottinen/Fimic
30 October, 2007