SEASON CONCERT 1: REBEL WITH A CAUSE

Thursday 25.01.2024 at 6pm Concert Hall

At 5.30 Atrium
PRE-TALK

Kuopio Symphony Orchestra
Eugene Tzigane, conductor
Lilli Paasikivi, mezzo soprano

Guillaume Connesson: Flammenschrift
Hector Berlioz: Les nuits d’été Op. 7
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No 5 Op. 67

Ludwig van Beethoven. The OG, patient zero of the Romantic Era, an iconoclast with a passionate heart and an uncanny sense for the sublime who cast off the shackles of aristocratic patronage, broke with the musical establishment, and singlehandedly reformed the music world by placing the artist’s will at the center of the creative act. His audacious music touched princes and paupers alike and now forms the cornerstone of our entire repertoire. Fast-forward to the 21st Century and we’ve become overly familiar with his oeuvre. It’s lost its promethean vitality and become predictable. Thus I thrown down the gauntlet to challenge the status quo, to reclaim our collective right of each generation to re-invent his music for themselves. Our performance of his most famous symphony (at least the beginning!) aims to subvert expectations while telling the dramatic story that is inherent in this masterpiece. We want and need to rediscover this incredible music with fresh ears and experience the daring, at times shockingly revolutionary music as if for the first time.

Guillaume Connesson’s Flammenschrift, a nod to Goethe, is a companion piece to Beethoven’s 5th that paints a portrait of Beethoven the man. Connesson’s music is full of impetuosity and fire, unpredictable and violent, yet also alive with moments of gentleness and tendresse. Complementing these works is Les Nuits d’été by the leader of the French Resistance of the early Romantic era, Hector Berlioz. Using far lighter brush strokes, his is a fire and melancholy of a distinctly French sensibility and perfume. We are fortunate to welcome the inimitable Lilli Paasikivi to Kuopio to sing this masterpiece for us. (Eugene Tzigane)

ENJOY OUR LIVESTREAM RECORDING OF THE CONCERT (available until 25.2.2024)

Duration approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, including interval.

Produced by the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra
Tickets: 33 € / 27 € senior citizens and groups min. 20 persons / 11 € children under the age of 16 and students
4 € concert day discount ticket for students and young people under the age of 20

Prices include the Kuopio Music Centre service fee 2 € / ticket. The service fees vary depending on the place of purchase.