Feldkirch Festival focuses on Finland

The Feldkirch Festival, held on 6-17 June in Western Austria, will focus this year on the 20th and 21st century music from Finland and Norway. The programme is inspired by the nature and mythical experiences of the two Nordic countries, with their lakes, forests, ice, and wide open space.

The festival will present the best known composers of both countries, including top Finnish names from Jean Sibelius and Uuno Klami to the contemporary generation - Kaija Saariaho, Magnus Lindberg, Jukka Tiensuu, Kalevi Aho, Lotta Wennäkoski and others. Finnish musicians will also be seen on stage, and, for example, a recital of Finnish piano music will be given by Laura Mikkola.

The wide ranging programme will offer chamber music concerts, orchestral music and choral compositions, as well as two nights of opera, with Ilkka Kuusisto's Fröken Julie directed by the festival's Artistic Director, Philippe Arlaud. However, the programme is not confined to the classical genres, but includes also Iiro Rantala's jazz improvisation, jazz and world music by the acclaimed duo Lepistö & Lehti, as well as an indie pop night with Rubik.

In addition to the main programme of the festival, Scandinavian culture will be present at Feldkirch also for a longer period. The additional programme includes lectures, tango workshop, art exhibitions, Scandinavian market days, as well as a "Fiesta Scandinavia" night with Finnish DJ Henri Lidsle and a musical fairy tale for children with Tove Jansson's Moomins.

Merja Hottinen / Fimic
4 May, 2012