Estimated duration

2 h, incl. intermission

Organizer

Helsingin kaupunginorkesteri

Experience the premiere of a new piece by Anna Thorvaldsdottir, the Icelandic superstar of contemporary music, in Helsinki! Ottorino Respighi, in turn, tra

Dalia Stasevska, conductor

Anna Thorvaldsdottir: Shadows of Solace
Borys Lyatoshynskyi: Grazhyna
Ottorino Respighi: The Pines of Rome (World premiere)

Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir is known for her impressive orchestral works inspired by nature and its structures, proportions and flows. Shadows of Solace by the Icelandic superstar of contemporary music is a new commission by the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.

Italian composer Ottorino Respighi was the guest conductor of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra in October 1933. The visit drew praise from the composer for both the orchestra and the Helsinki audience. “I felt the whole time how the audience was close to me and following me. You know, Finland has a very demanding and musically understanding audience. That is probably why there is such an excellent orchestra there, and it was an absolute pleasure to conduct it” (Helsingin Sanomat, 10 December 1933).