Olli Mustonen’s Sextet is a spirited, high-energy piece for five wind players and piano, adapted from a string quintet. This entertaining piece has delighted audiences across Europe. The evening’s programme begins with quiet whispers from behind the audience; gradually, the performers make their way to their positions at the front, and the ensemble performance can begin in earnest.
The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra’s woodwind quintet was founded in 1935; from 1939 onwards, its established members were flautist Hanns Alvas, oboist Asser Sipilä, clarinettist Cosimo Sgobba, horn player Holger Fransman, and bassoonist Aarne Viljava. The quintet performed frequently on the radio, particularly in its early years, and performed the Finnish premieres of woodwind quintets by composers such as Nielsen, Hindemith, Ibert, Klughardt, and Onslow. The ensemble also commissioned new works from Finnish composers and premiered new domestic wind chamber pieces.
In 1950, to mark the 175th anniversary of the birth of Bernhard Henrik Crusell, the quintet was named the Crusell Quintet in honour of the renowned clarinet virtuoso and composer for wind instruments. The quintet was active for over 30 years, but its activities wound down in the late 1960s as its members gradually retired from the orchestra.
The Crusell Quintet is now active once again, with plans for several concerts featuring the current principal players.
Free admission – welcome! The programme begins at 9pm after the evening’s concert, and the café is open until 9:45pm.
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.
