Musiikkitalo is the result of a joint endeavour by the Sibelius Academy, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. First opened to the public in August 2011, the building enjoys a prime location in central Helsinki, opposite Eduskunta, the Finnish Parliament.
Timeline
1992
The Helsinki Music Centre initiative is launched, initiated by the Sibelius Academy. The aim is tocreate a new hub for the academy in central Helsinki.
1994
Sibelius Academy, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra join forces. They have a vision for a new concert hall, complete with state–of-the-art acoustics, in Helsinki.
1995
The Ministry of Education establishes a working group tasked with drawing up a proposal for anew music venue at Helsinki’s Töölönlahti Bay.
1996
The working group submits its final report to the Ministry of Education. Work begins to identify a site for the new development.
1998
The City of Helsinki Planning Committee gives a go ahead for the development on Mannerheimintie.
1999
First phase of the international architectural design competition is launched.
2000
Second phase of the design competition draws to a close. LPR–Arkkitehdit is announced as the winner with A Mezza Voce. Renowned acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota is chosen to design the acoustics for the new venue. Preliminary project planning begins.
2002
Following many years of discussion, Helsinki City Council adopts a revised local plan for Töölönlahti Bay with 49 votes for and 36 votes against.
2005
Helsingin Musiikkitalo real estate company is formed.
2006
Fire destroys a series of historic warehouses at Töölönlahti Bay. Work begins on clearing the site and constructing a slurry wall and tunnel. Also at this time, a group of experts is appointed to draft a spatial and façade design for a new organ.
2007
The organ project is halted due to lack of funding.
2008
The City of Helsinki, the Finnish Broadcasting Company Yleisradio and the Finnish government formally endorse the project.
2010
Helsingin Musiikkitalo Oy, a limited company, is established to operate alongside Kiinteistöosakeyhtiö Helsingin Mannerheimintie 13a (formerly known as Kiinteistöosakeyhtiö Helsingin Musiikkitalo).
2011
Helsinki Music Centre was handed over in 30.4.2011
31.8.2011
Helsinki Music Centre opens its doors for the first time.
The inaugural concert begins with Jean Sibelius’ Finlandia. The line-up for the event comprises Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra’s wind and percussion section and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra’s string section, while the choir features students from the Sibelius Academy and amateur choristers from Helsinki. The ensemble is led by conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste.2012
Helsinki Music Centre’s inaugural season runs from September 2011 until May 2012 with 70-100 events taking place each month. Over this period, the building welcomes more than 400,000 visitors, including around 330,000 concertgoers.
2017
The organ project is revived thanks to a €1 million donation from Kaija Saariaho. The City of Helsinki, the Ministry of Education and Culture and a series of charitable foundations announce further funding for the organ project. Helsinki Music Centre Foundation appoints an expert working group to oversee it and launches a fundraising campaign to ensure that new music continues to be created for the new instrument in perpetuity.
2018
Contract is signed with Rieger Orgelbau to build the organ.
2019
The Musiikkitalon Urut Soimaan association is set up to promote active creative engagement with the new organ. Structural work gets underway at Musiikkitalo during the summer season.
2020
The construction of the organ begins in Austria. A composition competition to identify new organ works launches in March.
2021
The first organ parts are delivered for installation in the Concert Hall during the summer.
2022
The fundraising campaign to support active creative use of the new organ hits €220,000. The organ’s 8,000 pipes and mechanism arrive at Musiikkitalo for installation over the summer months.
2023
The results of the composition competition are announced. Finishing touches are made to the organ’s sound, and the façade is built during the summer season. The organ undergoes testing during the last three months of the year.
2024
Helsinki Music Centre’s new organ is inaugurated on 1 January 2024. A documentary charting the organ project’s progress is broadcast.
About Musiikkitalo
Our resident organisations
The resident organisations at Musiikkitalo are: the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the University of the Arts Helsinki’s Sibelius Academy.
Musiikkitalo concert organ
January 2024 saw the unveiling of Musiikkitalo’s long-awaited new concert organ. The 124-stop organ has the distinction of being the largest modern concert hall organ in the world. It is also one of only two instruments of this kind that can also be considered works of art in their own right. The creation of the new organ was made possible through a significant donation from the composer Kaija Saariaho.
Our architecture
At Musiikkitalo, our walls speak softly to lend focus to what really matters here; the music. The architects have created a venue that is designed to encourage openness and the exchanging of ideas.
Visual art at Musiikkitalo
Alongside music and architecture, you will also be able to enjoy visual art as part of your visit. Reijo Hukkanen’s Song Trees and Kirsi Kaulanen’s Gaia are both bespoke commission for Musiikkitalo.