Anssi Karttunen celebrates his 50th birthday with two Finnish premieres

Cellist Anssi Karttunen celebrates his 50th anniversary with a concert at Sello Hall, Espoo, Finland. The concert takes place on 26 September, and it includes two Finnish premieres: Kaija Saariaho's Mirage, versioned for trio, and a special birthday present conceived by Kaija Saariaho, with contributions from several composers.

The birthday present is based on Giuseppe Colombi's Chaconne, which is the first known work ever written for cello solo, and part of Anssi Karttunen's favoured repertoire. Kaija Saariaho asked numerous composers from all over the world to write variations on the Chaconne, including the Finnish composers Jukka Tiensuu, Magnus Lindberg, Veli-Matti Puumala, Paavo Heininen, Kimmo Hakola, Kaija Saariaho, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Tapio Tuomela.

In addition to the two premieres, the programme will include Magnus Lindberg's Clarinet Trio, tango arrangements for three celli by Anssi Karttunen and a few surprise elements. Special guests include soprano Pia Freund, clarinettist Chen Halevi, cellists Erkki Rautio and Bernard Gregor-Smith, and pianist Tuija Hakkila.


Merja Hottinen / Fimic
21 September, 2010