In Leevi Madetoja’s Second Symphony, “a strong, lush feeling of nature, a harmonious, wistful, peaceful pastoral atmosphere wafts through”. (HS, 18.12.1918) Madetoja is also the underlying force in Jouni Hirvelä's new composition, which is inspired by the piano piece “The Garden of Death”. The blue and white evening will be conducted by Kristian Sallinen, a captivating young newcomer in the fine tradition of Finnish conductors.
Anu Komsi (born 1967) is one of Finland’s foremost international singers. Renowned as both an opera singer and concert soloist, she has performed with esteemed orchestras and at major venues such as La Scala Milan and the Opéra National de Paris, as well as festivals like the Lucerne and Salzburg Festivals and the BBC Proms. In March 2024, The Telegraph praised Komsi in heavenly terms: “Her extraordinary soprano voice seemed to float down from an angelic realm, but as it descended, it became human and consoling.”
In the 2024–2025 season, Anu Komsi will appear as a soloist with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra and the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne, as well as with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. She will also sing in Kaija Saariaho's opera Innocence at the Semperoper Dresden and perform with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at London’s Barbican Centre.
Komsi’s repertoire spans from early baroque to contemporary music and jazz. Her opera roles total nearly 80, and she has premiered hundreds of works. Her artistic contributions have been recognised with numerous awards.
Finnish conductor Kristian Sallinen (born 2001) made his international debut with the Symphony Orchestra Basel in June 2023. In the 2023–2024 season, Sallinen debuted with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the Bern Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra (Ireland), and the Ulster Orchestra. In addition to the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Sallinen has collaborated with several leading domestic orchestras, such as the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, the Tampere and Turku Philharmonics, and the Tapiola Sinfonietta.
Kristian Sallinen’s 2024–2025 season includes returns to the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Lahti Symphony Orchestra, as well as debuts with the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Västerås Sinfonietta, among others.
Sallinen’s musical background is in the violin and the viola, having achieved success at the Finnish National Viola Competition. He currently studies orchestral conducting with Sakari Oramo at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.
Yes, but only before or after the concert. During the concert we just want you to enjoy the music. This way you won’t disturb the musicians or other audience members.
Only the orchestra has a dress code. You can dress as you like.
You can give the ticket to a friend or donate it to a music student by calling 09-3102 2700 or sending an e-mail to helsinki.philharmonic@hel.fi by 3pm on the day of the concert.
