Winner of 2025 Kuopio Violin Competition, Amanda Ernesaks, performs Prokofiev’s virtuosic Violin Concerto No. 2 on November 27th

Published 20.11.2025

Kuopio Symphony Orchestra conducted by First Conductor Kolja Blacher

At the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra’s Masters of the Violin season concert on Thursday, November 27th at 6 pm, the stage will be graced by the latest winner of the Kuopio Violin Competition, Amanda Ernesaks. At the Kuopio Music Centre Concert Hall, she will interpret Sergey Prokofiev’s lyrical Violin Concerto No. 2. The orchestra will be led by one of its First Conductors, Kolja Blacher, who, as a string expert, has chosen Richard Strauss’s exquisite Metamorphosen for strings for the program. The evening concludes with Felix Mendelssohn’s beloved Symphony No. 4, Italian.

Kolja Blacher appeared as guest conductor of the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra during the 2023–24 season and immediately charmed the orchestra’s musicians with his professional approach. Blacher now returns to Kuopio in a new role: he is one of the orchestra’s First Conductors for the years 2025–2027. Having served as the concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, Blacher is a true string specialist, and Strauss’s Metamorphosen promises to be a profound experience for both musicians and audience.

Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 is a top-tier virtuoso work, and its soloist will be Amanda Ernesaks, winner of the 2025 Kuopio Violin Competition. The concerto differs markedly from the composer’s first: it highlights some of his most lyrical melodies, balanced by Prokofiev’s distinctive rhythmic energy.

The evening concludes with Mendelssohn’s beloved “Italian” Symphony, a favorite among audiences and musicians alike, radiating Mediterranean sunshine, monumental architecture, and expansive countryside. Mendelssohn’s journey to Italy inspired the work, and the southern climate gave birth to what he called “the happiest piece I have ever composed.”

Before the concert, at 5:30 pm at the Hall of Light, there will be a free Pre-talk event open to everyone, offering a chance to meet the evening’s artists.

On the same day, November 27th at 12 noon, you can enjoy the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra’s open rehearsal, where the orchestra will perform a preview of the evening’s program under the baton of Kolja Blacher. Admission to the rehearsal is free. In addition, Restaurant Oodi offers lunch at the Hall of Light from 11 am to 2 pm. Lunch price: €12.

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 (available for purchase on the concert day at the Kuopio Music Centre Ticket Office). Prices include the Kuopio Music Centre service fee 2 € / ticket. The service fees vary depending on the place of purchase.

The Copilot AI service was used in the production of this text.

KUOPIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Producer & Publicity Manager Elina Prepula, tel. 044 718 2364, elina.prepula(at)kuopio.fi
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