Her departing gift was the great musical heritage of her homeland, which one will likely encounter again, and tremendous orchestral playing at a level of musicality one hopes to hear again.

New York Classical Review

George Grella

“New York audiences have gotten to know conductor Susanna Mälkki’s exceptional musicianship through her appearances as a guest with a number of orchestras. One of her consistent strengths with differing groups—including the New York Philharmonic and at the Met—has been her command of ensemble sound.

Tuesday night at Carnegie Hall, the audience got an even deeper and more powerful experience from Mälkki, as she led her own ensemble, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, in stirring playing that provided the finest orchestral concert of this season.

The program was an excellent set of Finnish music, with the central pieces Kaija Saariaho’s Aile du songe, with flutist Claire Chase the soloist, and Sibelius’ Symphony No.. 2.

This was an aesthetically and emotionally sensational evening, as well as bittersweet one. This is a farewell tour for Mälkki, who is leaving the orchestra at the end of this season. Her departing gift was the great musical heritage of her homeland, which one will likely encounter again, and tremendous orchestral playing at a level of musicality one hopes to hear again.”

New York Classical Review