After her fantastic performances in the United States, Susanna Mälkki returns to Finland to conduct the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Helsinki Chamber Choir in two concerts featuring works by Giacinto Scelsi, Dieter Ammann, and Gustav Holst.
On November 6 & 7, the program includes Giacinto Scelsi’s colorful and unusually expressive Quattro pezzi su una nota sola, and the first performance of Dieter Ammann’s Piano Concerto “Gran Toccata” in Finland, featuring pianist Andreas Haefliger. Ms. Mälkki led the American premiere of Ammann’s work with Mr. Haefliger and the Boston Symphony Orchestra last week, receiving praise from The Boston Classical Review: “Mälkki, an exceptional advocate for complex new scores, had a tight handle on the orchestral proceedings […] she drew playing of terrific energy, taut balances, and bright color from the BSO. The brass and percussion sections, in particular, glowed.”
Completing the program, Gustav Holst’s The Planets takes listeners on a voyage through our solar system. Mercury – the winged messenger, Venus – bringer of peace and other heavenly bodies named after Roman gods are each given their own characterizations.