Estimated duration
1 h 30 min.
Organizer
Taideyliopiston Sibelius-Akatemia
Lecture series on music of our time consist of visits of composers and other artists discussing their practice, works, and questions related to these
Five public lectures are held in the auditorium of Helsinki Music Centre on Thursdays at 1:15 to 2:45 PM.
Thursday 23.1.2025, Justina Repečkaitė
Musica nova composer Justina Repečkaitė: Sfäärit (Spheres) – composition as choreography
Justina Repečkaitė discusses her new work, to be premiered on Thursday 6th of February on Musica nova Helsinki festival in Centre for New Dance as a part of the Sfäärit (Spheres) performance initiated by harpsichordist Marianna Henriksson and choreographer Anna Mustonen. In Sfäärit (Spheres), the artists explore the assumptions and questions surrounding the coming together of dance and music. Repečkaitė studied composition in France, i.a. in IRCAM and is one of most succesful Lithuanian composers. Her music has been described by critics as having “many similarities to a diamond“.
This lecture is held in English.
Thursday 30.1.2025, Rolf Gustavson
Composer Rolf Gustavson: Experiences of orchestrating film and media music
Rolf Gustavson presents primarily his compositions and arrangements written for studio orchestras, highlighting essential and effective orchestration principles in recording situations. He also discusses more generally the work of composers and arrangers in the world of film, game, and media music, and the working methods and techniques characteristic for those fields.
Gustavson is a Porvoo-based orchestrator and composer, holding a master’s degree from the Sibelius Academy. He has worked with major orchestras in Finland and Europe and is credited in more than 20 films, series or games.
This lecture is held in English.
Thursday 6.2.2025, Lara Poe
Musica nova composer Lara Poe: On song cycles and other new works
Lara Poe presents her works Laulut maaseudulta (Songs from the countryside, 2024) and Onervalaulut (2023) and discusses the experience of writing again for orchestra without a soloist after these song cycles.
Poe is a Finnish-American composer currently studying for a PhD at King’s College, London, under the supervision of Sir George Benjamin. The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra will premiere her new work for orchestra on Wednesday 12th of Feburary on Musica nova Helsinki festival. Poe is FRSO’s theme composer for the 2024–2025 season.
This lecture is held in English.
Thursday 13.2.2025, Vito Žuraj
Musica nova composer Vito Žuraj: “INNEN: composing for choir and instrumental forces”
Vito Žuraj discusses his new work INNEN for mixed choir and ensemble on libretto by Händl Klaus, and another work for similar forces, Der Verwandler for mixed chamber choir and orchestra. INNEN will be premiered by Helsinki Chamber Choir and the Freiburg-based Ensemble Reserche conducted by Nils Schweckendiek on Saturday 15th February as part of the Music nova Helsinki festival.
Žuraj’s work is characterized by powerful and meticulously crafted compositions, often incorporating scenic elements and spatial sound concepts. He is a professor of composition and music theory at the Music Academy of the University of Ljubljana.
This lecture is held in English.
Thursday 27.2.2025, Maija Hynninen
Music nova composer Maija Hynninen: Organ and computing
Maija Hynninen discusses her new work for midi extended organ of Helsinki Music Centre, premiered at Musica nova Helsinki festival on 8th of Feburary, and her upcoming organ concerto. She presents especially her working methods employing computing, such as computer assisted orchestration.
Hynninen holds a PhD in Music Composition from UC Berkeley. Previously she studied i.a. with Paavo Heininen at the Sibelius Academy and at IRCAM. Her works have been performed in numerous festivals in Europe and North America.
Further information: Niilo Tarnanen, niilo.tarnanen@uniarts.fi
Changes are possible.
Remember also Musica nova guest Enno Poppe’s interview on Saturday 15th of February at 12 in the Chamber Music Hall (Pohjoinen rautatiekatu 9, 2nd floor). Jarkko Hartikainen interviews.
Tickets to Musiikkitalo concerts and other events are available to purchase on our website, by telephone and at our physical box office.
Book tickets for 10–20 or more people is by contacting group sales service by email at ryhmat@musiikkitalo.fi or by telephone on 0600 411 101 (Monday to Friday, 9:00–15:00).
How about a cup of coffee, a bite to eat or a glass of bubbly during the interval? Order your drinks in advance to beat the queues and make the most of your concert visit.
Our location could not be more central or easier to get to. Almost all forms of Helsinki public transport stop right outside our doors, cycle parking is provided at all our entrances, and Aimo Park Finlandia, our nearest multi-storey car park, offers lift access directly to our main foyer.
At Helsinki Music Centre we are proud to be an accessible and welcoming place for everyone. Tactile handrails and signage have been fitted across the building, and there are tactile indicator strips on the floor too to guide partially sighted and blind visitors. Induction loops are always available, and guide or companion dogs are of course permitted within the building.
Concert Hall
The route to your seat is always printed on your ticket. Check the door number to find out which entrance to take. The seating areas are marked with letters. There is level access to all wheelchair seats from the main entrances. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with our venue – our staff are always on hand to help you find your seat.
Black Box, Camerata and Sonore
Use the row number printed on your ticket to find your seat. Wheelchair seats are situated on the same level as the entrance. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with our venue – our staff area always on hand to help you find your seat.
Unallocated seating
Please choose your seat on the day.
Floor plans
You can view our floor plans before your visit.
Cloakroom
We ask you to leave your coat and any larger items in the cloakroom. The cloakroom is free of charge.
Latecomers
Latecomers will be asked to wait until a suitable break in the performance or admitted after the interval.
Photography
You are not permitted to record concert performances at Helsinki Music Centre. However, you may take photographs before and after the concert and during applause. Individual concert organisers may have their own, more detail guidance regarding recording and photography.
Dress code
We’re happy to say we have no dress code at Helsinki Music Centre, and we positively encourage you to come as you are. However, we would be grateful if you could avoid wearing strong perfume during your visit so that people with asthma and fragrance sensitivity can enjoy our concerts symptom free.
