Estimated duration
1 h 30 min.
Organizer
Taideyliopiston Sibelius-Akatemia
Join NYKY Ensemble exploring matter and freedom in music with works by Czernowin, Scelsi, Lindquist, Hartikainen and Eastman
This time, NYKY Ensemble presents a concert based on the exploration of spaces between matter – materials, instruments; the physicality – bodies, those of performers, composers, living beings; and freedom – the path and the challenges of finding freedom with and from a musical instrument, within a creative space as well as society.
In the programme, Czernowin’s Ayre observes matter as in a microscope, observing the movements of extremely small things. Scelsi, in his 5th String Quartet, takes a single note and bends and distorts it, uncovering the deepest nature of sound through processes of malleability. Ellen Lindquist’s Earth is a meditation on the element of Earth and its energy. The Earth is the place in which matters, bodies, systems, living structures coexist, and the planet’s energy and its elements are essential to our physical and spiritual growth. Joy Boy finds a seemingly logical and natural blend between minimalism and experimental musica, something possible through the absolute originality of Julius Eastman’s approach to composition and music making, which often call for creative contribution from the performers.
The relationship between the musicians’ bodies and their instruments, the frictions between intention and execution, and the awe of discovery are at the center of Jarkko Hartikainen’s new piece. The piece is developed with NYKY Ensemble’s performers through workshops and directed by the composer himself.
The concert is dedicated to the memory of Eriikka Maalismaa and is part of the Maalisvalo concert series honoring her legacy.
Programme
Ellen Lindquist — Earth (2022)
Giacinto Scelsi — String Quartet No. 5 (1984)
Chaya Czernowin — Ayre: Towed through plumes, thicket, asphalt, sawdust and hazardous air I shall not forget the sound of (2015)
Intermission, 15 minutes
Julius Eastman — Joy Boy (1974)
Jarkko Hartikainen — New piece (2025), World premiere
Performers
Mikael Loponen, Conductor
Tuule-Helin Krigul, Flute
Ioana Tomescu, Clarinet
Vicent Orón Bolós, Alto saxophone
Børge Rekstad, Horn
Clara Berná, Harp
Arttu Aaltonen, Percussion
Máté Dömötör, Piano
Skyla Murray, Violin
Fanni Piri, Violin
Siiri Kaijansinkko, Viola
Max Savikangas, Viola
Liu Pöntinen, Violoncello
Terhi Paldenius, Music coaching
Jarkko Hartikainen, Composing and musical directing
Mikko Ingman, audio and lighting engineering
Libero Mureddu, Intendent of the NYKY Ensemble
Jaakko Kilpeläinen, Producer of the NYKY Ensemble
NYKY Ensemble
NYKY Ensemble is a contemporary music group of Uniarts Helsinki’s Sibelius Academy, which serves as a forum for contemporary music projects and provides perspectives on the trends and techniques of our time, such as expanded playing techniques, live electronics, microtonality, minimalism or cross-disciplinary artistic cooperation. The composition of the ensemble depends on the pieces to be presented at any given time, and the visiting supervisor in each concert period is a musician or ensemble specialising in contemporary music.
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.
